Reds release veteran utilityman

The Reds have released Tony Kemp from his minor league contract with the team, according to Kemp’s MLB.com profile page.  Kemp signed with Cincinnati in July but didn’t receive a call-up to the majors during his latest stint.

After playing with the Athletics from 2020-23, Kemp has bounced around the league since becoming a free agent last fall. He signed another minors deal with the Reds in February but was released late in spring training camp and then caught on with the Orioles on a big league contract. He was designated for assignment and outrighted by the O’s in April. Kemp elected free agency again and caught on with the Twins on a minors contract before opting out and returning to the Reds. Throughout all these moves, Kemp has appeared in just five MLB games this year, all with Baltimore.

The 32-year-old has hit .262/.350/.406 slash line over 326 combined Triple-A plate appearances this season, delivering decent production but not enough to compel the Twins or Reds to select his contract to the Show.  With Cincinnati’s Triple-A affiliate in particular, Kemp was hitting a more modest .237/.338/.364 in 139 PA.  Kemp has become strictly a second baseman and left fielder during his last couple of years in Oakland, but he has seen a bit of time as a center fielder and right fielder at the Triple-A level this year.

Kemp will still be eligible for postseason play if he signs with a new team before tomorrow, though his 2024 production makes him a depth candidate at best for any playoff contenders.  Some clubs could still be interested in bringing Kemp aboard to provide extra backup at second base or left field. Kemp is a well-respected veteran whose presence could fit in many clubhouses. The Orioles’ deal with Kemp came with a guaranteed $1M salary, so Baltimore is still responsible for the majority of owed salary, as a new team would owe Kemp just the prorated portion of an MLB minimum salary for any time spent on an active roster.