The Los Angeles Dodgers made a trade that shocked the baseball world this past offseason, as they sent Adrian Gonzalez, Brandon McCarthy, Scott Kazmir and Charlie Culberson to the Atlanta Braves in exchange for a familiar face in Matt Kemp.
Kemp’s second stint with the Dodgers was not expected to be a long one though, as the organization made it clear that the would attempt to trade him. They were unsuccessful in doing that, so Kemp reported to Camelback Ranch for Spring Training still a member of the Dodgers.
The spring has since come and gone, and Kemp is now likely to be the team’s starting left fielder on Opening Day. Part of that is because of the strong showing that Kemp had, tying for the team lead with five home runs.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was among those who were impressed by Kemp from the outset of players reporting to camp.
“I’ve liked the way that he came into camp in great shape. I’ve liked the way that’s he’s mixing with the guys, coaches, players,” Roberts said. “He’s always been a professional in the way that he prepares for each day, that’s been very consistent.
“And I think that timing, a little bit of mechanics, he’s trying to work through and he’s got a day to work through that. And defensively, just continuing to try and take balls out there and go out there and be engaged in left field because he grew up playing center field then played some right field, so left field is still kind of foreign to him. So just really getting reads off the bat.”
Kemp is using this opportunity as a second chance to win back the fan base and bring a World Series to the city of Los Angeles, something he was unable to do in the first nine years of his career before being traded.
There surely will be a lot of emotions for Kemp when he takes the field Thursday against the San Francisco Giants, as he described returning to the city that he called home for so long as exciting.
