Orioles Sign INF/OF Tony Kemp

[Orioles0615]

This team will do anything to not give young deseravble players roster spots. New precurssor to making the team is negative WAR players now

Edited March 26 by Orioles0615

[interloper]

Just now, Bahama O's Fan said:

Any options?

This is my question. Can we pay him ML salary to hang out in AAA?

[jamalshw]

This is interesting and will be worth watching in the early season. He's probably just a fill-in for the first few weeks, but it would seem they value the versatility over Wong only playing 2B. But, why? You have O'Hearn and Cowser that can play some OF and both hit from the left side on top of their "normal" outfielders. I'd rather see Kemp on the roster than Nevin to be honest, but I still don't quite understand the use case for Kemp that is better than Wong. Unless, they think they can DFA him and he'd willingly go to AAA if he passes through waivers which Wong has stated he won't. But it's not like there are a shortage of 2B and OF in AAA. 

[sportsfan8703]

This could mean Cowser to AAA. Holliday down till mid June. 

Will Elias DFA Mckenna?  If not, Cowser to AAA. 

Kemp essentially replaces Cowser and Holliday. Not a fun move. 

[Aristotelian]

2 minutes ago, Tony-OH said:

 

Unless he's willing to go to AAA to be depth, I just don't get this move at all. I mean, I get that Westburg, Urias and Mateo are all right-handed hitters and Elias would like a left-handed hitting utility guy, but Kemp basically only plays 2B and LF. 

 

Elias seems not to get that Urias and Westburg both have reverse splits. 

[interloper]

Just now, sportsfan8703 said:

This could mean Cowser to AAA. Holliday down till mid June. 

Will Elias DFA Mckenna?  If not, Cowser to AAA. 

Kemp essentially replaces Cowser and Holliday. Not a fun move. 

Cowser has already been told by the team that he's making the roster. 

McKenna has already been told he's not making it, per Roch. 

[jamalshw]

Just now, sportsfan8703 said:

This could mean Cowser to AAA. Holliday down till mid June. 

Will Elias DFA Mckenna?  If not, Cowser to AAA. 

Kemp essentially replaces Cowser and Holliday. Not a fun move. 

Cowser was told he made the team though and Nevin was not. I think he replaces Nevin on the roster, not Cowser. 

[ThisIsBirdland]

1 minute ago, sportsfan8703 said:

This could mean Cowser to AAA. Holliday down till mid June. 

Will Elias DFA Mckenna?  If not, Cowser to AAA. 

Kemp essentially replaces Cowser and Holliday. Not a fun move. 

Cowser was told he made the team. I highly doubt they would tell him that and then retract it because of this move. I think it's just LH 2B option.

[jamalshw]

The only thing I got is this is a Rio Ruiz situation where Elias drafted him and thinks the Orioles can use him more efficiently than teams have in the past. 

[interloper]

I think maybe there's another wrinkle to this. I'm going to wait and see. 

[sportsfan8703]

3 minutes ago, interloper said:

Cowser has already been told by the team that he's making the roster. 

McKenna has already been told he's not making it, per Roch. 

Thanks for the update. This is simply Kemp for McKenna. We could also go with a 5 man bench to start the season. 

[Moose Milligan]

[btdart20]

5 minutes ago, Aristotelian said:

Elias seems not to get that Urias and Westburg both have reverse splits. 

So does Kemp if that matters.

[ThisIsBirdland]

Just now, sportsfan8703 said:

Thanks for the update. This is simply Kemp for McKenna. We could also go with a 5 man bench to start the season. 

Was McKenna making the team before this move? McKenna's value to me appeared to be as a RH CF option.

[sportsfan8703]

5 man bench for the first series until we need a 5th SP?  Wells and Kremer have an option left. Akin or Tate could be optioned as well. 

Edited March 26 by sportsfan8703