Rockies Sign Former All-Star Matt Kemp to Replace Ian Desmond on Roster
By Jerry Trotta
Utility man Ian Desmond announced via Instagram on Monday that he wouldn't be participating in the MLB restart, leaving the Colorado Rockies with a hole on their roster with a little less than a month left until the 2020 season gets underway.
Well, it didn't take long for Colorado to find a replacement for the two-time All-Star. According to insider Bob Nightengale, the club has signed veteran outfielder Matt Kemp to a minor-league contract.
The Colorado #Rockies have signed slugger Matt Kemp to a minor-league contract to replace Ian Desmond on the roster.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) June 30, 2020
The Rockies could've done a lot worse than Kemp, so their front office deserves credit for pulling this off as quickly as they did in the wake of Desmond's announcement. The 35-year-old was an All-Star as recently as 2018 with the Los Angeles Dodgers. That year, he hit .290/.338/.481 with 21 home runs, 85 RBI and an .818 OPS.
Kemp spent Spring Training with the Miami Marlins, but was ultimately left off their 60-man player pool for the 2020 season, which left the door open for Colorado to pull the trigger.
Rockies To Sign Matt Kemp https://t.co/THhIKITeBp pic.twitter.com/giTLTbEiny
— MLB Trade Rumors (@mlbtraderumors) June 30, 2020
If the three-time All-Star can avoid injury, he could prove to be a valuable asset as a designated hitter for the Rockies. After all, he's just one season removed from posting some of the best numbers of his 14-year career.