The Blue Jays, Pirates, Reds, Red Sox, and Yankees have all shown interest in veteran second baseman/left fielder , reports. These are the first teams linked to Kemp this offseason, as the 32-year-old is a free agent for the first time in his career. One of the few experienced players on a young and rebuilding As team, Kemp has spent the last four years in Oakland, bridging the gap between the last contending Athletics club and its current state of extreme teardown. Most of his playing time has some against right-handed pitching (though Kemps career splits are pretty even against both righties and lefties), and s emergence at second base meant that Kemp was mostly a left fielder in the back half of the 2023 season. Kemps own lack of production didnt help his cause for more playing time, as he hit only .209/.303/.304 over 419 plate appearances last year. Kemp posted strong numbers in a part-time capacity with the As in 2021 and the Astros in 2018, though he has generally been a below-average hitter during his career, with a 94 wRC+. It seems likely that any of Kemps suitors would be viewing him as a bench piece or platoon option at best, plus the respected Kemp would be a boost in any clubhouse. While he played some center field early in his career and he has a handful of games as a right fielder and shortstop, it seems like Brooks Kriske Jersey Kemp is pretty set as a two-position player, and the public defensive metrics have been more positive about his work as a left fielder than at second base. Of the five teams mentioned by Murray, the Red Sox might be the cleanest fit for Kemp given that and (their projected left field/second base starters) are both right-handed hitters. Utilityman is right-handed and infield backup is short on big league experience, perhaps creating an opening for Kemp on the roster. Red Sox manager is also a familiar face, as Cora was on Houstons coaching staff during Kemps time with the Astros. The Pirates have a pretty crowded second-base competition heading into the season, with , , , , and others all battling for time at the keystone. While the Bucs would prefer to see one of their youngsters grab the job, adding a seasoned player like Kemp could help add some depth in the event that nobody really breaks out. Kemps reputation as a leader could also be particularly useful for a young Pirates team, particularly after several players spoke of how the addition of such veteran voices as and helped the club last year. New York, Cincinnati, and especially Toronto could all use some more left-handed balance in their lineups, though Kemp isnt as clear-cut of a fit given how all three of these teams are already pretty deep in second base and left field options. Kemps experience could again be a factor here as something more of a proven commodity, in case any of the Reds prized young infielders need some more minor league seasoning or if the Yankees want some depth in case or dont develop at the plate. Tippy Martinez Jersey