Factory Of Sadness
FanSided

Indians: 4 veteran free agent options to replace Josh Naylor with

By Chad Porto

Jun 27, 2021; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Cleveland Indians second baseman Ernie Clement (28) and outfielder Josh Naylor (22) collide on a fly ball against the Minnesota Twins in the fourth inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 27, 2021; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Cleveland Indians second baseman Ernie Clement (28) and outfielder Josh Naylor (22) collide on a fly ball against the Minnesota Twins in the fourth inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 5
Next
Sep 9, 2020; San Diego, California, USA; Colorado Rockies designated hitter Matt Kemp (25) is congratulated by third baseman Nolan Arenado (left) and second baseman Garrett Hampson (right) after hitting a two-run home run during the sixth inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 9, 2020; San Diego, California, USA; Colorado Rockies designated hitter Matt Kemp (25) is congratulated by third baseman Nolan Arenado (left) and second baseman Garrett Hampson (right) after hitting a two-run home run during the sixth inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports /

Matt Kemp

The former LA Dodger great is a free agent but still active as a player, having suited up for Team USA to help them qualify for the Olympics. He’s far from retiring, telling people last year that he wants to play until he’s 40. Since he’s only 36-years-old now, it makes sense that he’s looking to play a few more years.

Kemp had a solid 2020, hitting .239, with six home runs and 21 RBIs in just 43 games for the Rockies. He may be waiting until after the Olympics to sign, with teams not being announced until July 1, 2021, there’s a possibility that Kemp can make the team considering how he helped Team USA even qualify in the first place.

For the Indians, he’s not what he once was, but that’s the team of this entire exercise. We’re looking for bandaids, not transplants. The team can’t keep trading away young talent, that’s part of the reason why the Tribe is in this situation in the first place. Triple-A has been picked bone-dry, and while the lower-minors are stocked with potential players, the higher-minors are not. They’ve either been called up already or traded away.

Kemp could help this team, even if he’s not what he once was.

Home/Cleveland Guardians