Since They Can’t Extend Welcome Matt With Heartless Ways, Dodgers Should Trade Kemp
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It never should have gotten to this point with Matt Kemp and the Dodgers, but since it has, maybe they might want to either fish or cut bait. Your call Ned.
The Dodgers lack of leadership in the front office or the clubhouse is why they’re in this mess. The leadership void comes from the top down, starting with Frank McCourt, Ned Colletti and the overrated Joe Torre.
Since the Dodgers and media continue making Kemp the scapegoat for all that has gone wrong this season, maybe they should consider trading Kemp. As foolish as it would be, they could obtain a decent starting pitcher that might help them earn a playoff berth. Maybe.
Torre, who benched Kemp for the past 3 games, including Tuesday’s contest against the Giants before Manny came up lame and Kemp had to replace him, has been evasive about his reasons for sitting the Dodger centerfielder.
Torre seemed more concerned with kissing and hugging and mugging for the cameras with A-Ron this weekend than showing the slumping Kemp a little love. But that’s Torre. His heart is still in New York. Or Philly. The Leonard Tose route ran through there and apparently through Dodger Stadium, where there is no rhyme or reason to Torre’s thought process.
Monday, Torre mentioned how Reed Johnson had a nice outing against the Yankees on Sunday, the same night the Dodgers gagged away a victory, and he believed Johnson would provide a spark in the lineup against the Giants. Reed Johnson? How many homers does he have? RBIs?
Torre wanted to send Kemp a message, but messages are meant for voice mail and college students who have no clue. Last time we checked this is Major League Baseball. And last time we checked, adults talk to each other face to face when they want to solve problems. Leaders do that.
Kemp doesn’t skate free either. Oh no. He should have handled the criticism better instead of sulking and allowing the harsh words and cold shoulders to affect his play. Yep, it’s lonely when you’re on an island, but Kemp has to learn to focus like a professional, particularly when it matters most despite all the crap going on around him. That means keeping your head in the game and not getting picked off 2nd base despite a balk by Brian Fuentes in a loss to the Angels last week. You. Just. Can’t. Do. That.
Dude!
Kemp will learn though. He’s only 25 and has a promising future ahead of him, so this might be the best thing to happen to him, giving him additional experience of the Dodger way now under McCourt and his henchmen and how they don’t share the same affections about him like Rihanna does.
If the Dodger way were fair, the horrible hitting Russell Martin would be parked right next to Kemp on the bench. But Martin is a Torre favorite, so he doesn’t encounter the scrutiny Kemp does. Remember, Martin was the Joe who got picked off by the Angels last week to end a game, a mistake much more significant than Kemp’s because it cost the Dodgers the game.
So trade Kemp, you gutless freaks. What’s the problem, Ned? Got a collar around your neck? If not, let the man play, give him a hug even when he screws up and our money says he’ll step up and save your ass like he did chasing down fly balls Reed Johnson wouldn’t have come within sniffing distance Tuesday night against the Giants. Dude had a career year last year, so show some balls before giving up already. Plenty of other teams would love to have him. Ask the punk-ass Cubs.
Trade him and the Dodgers are screwed. Play freaking Reed Johnson everyday and see how that works out.
But the Dodgers can’t keep messing with Kemp. Keep him and he’ll pay dividends. But pat the man on the back every now and let him know you appreciate him.
But enough of laying the blame at his feet. There is plenty of that to pass around.
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