Report: Twins, Kemp agree to minor-league deal
The Minnesota Twins agreed to a minor-league contract with veteran utility player Tony Kemp, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.
Kemp was designated for assignment and later released by the Baltimore Orioles last week to open a roster spot for Jackson Holliday. Kemp went 0-for-9 with a walk in five games with Baltimore.
The 32-year-old will provide the Twins with experienced depth at multiple positions and could fill a bench role in the majors if needed. Minnesota has already seen three of its most important position players - shortstop Carlos Correa, third baseman Royce Lewis, and outfielder Max Kepler - land on the injured list during the early stages of 2024.
A veteran of nine big-league seasons, Kemp is a lifetime .237/.324/.351 hitter with 460 hits, 35 home runs, 184 RBIs, and 53 stolen bases across 739 games with four teams. His primary defensive positions are second base and left field.
Kemp's best season came with Oakland in 2021 when he posted an .800 OPS in 131 games. He helped the A's to their most recent playoff appearance in the shortened 2020 campaign and won a World Series with Houston in 2017.