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With two days until opening day, the Orioles are adding another veteran to the organization.
The team announced that they signed Tony Kemp to a major league deal on Tuesday. Kemp’s deal is for $1 million, a source told The Baltimore Banner.
To make room on the 40-man roster, the Orioles designated infielder Nick Maton for assignment.
Kemp, 32, has a career batting average of .238 and hit .209 with Oakland last season. He has some speed, stealing 15 bases last seasons, and plays primarily second base and left field. He spent spring training with the Reds as a nonroster invitee and was released March 19.
Kemp was at a baby shower on Sunday when he found out about the Orioles’ interest and it came together quickly. He doesn’t know yet what his role will be on the Orioles, but Kemp had a locker at Camden Yards on Tuesday; infielder/outfielder Tyler Nevin didn’t.
The Orioles have not officially set their opening day roster, and this signing does not guarantee a spot for Kemp.
Final rosters do not need to be set until opening day on Thursday, when the Orioles will host the Angels.
“When I was around 4 years old, this was actually the first ballpark that I visited,” said Kemp, who lived in Sykesville for a short time as a child. “There’s some history with this ballpark, so anytime I was a visitor, I used to love to play here.”
He’s excited about the chance to play in front of a packed house.
“Once we start winning games and seeing what this vibe and this energy is like, I feel like I’ll be able to thrive,” he said.
Left-hander Cole Irvin, who played with Kemp in Oakland, said he gave Kemp “the biggest hug” when he saw him in the clubhouse.
“Fans are going to love him. I know the Oakland fans adored him. We’re lucky to have him in our clubhouse. He’s great a camaraderie guy,” he said. “There is nothing bad you can say about Tony Kemp, because he’s going to play his butt off any opportunity he gets. He’s just here for the boys.”
Nevin and Kemp have similar profiles — both can play in the infield and outfield — but Nevin is a right-handed hitter while Kemp hits from the left side.
Whoever makes it is likely just a seat filler until the team’s top prospects are ready. Jackson Holliday (second base), Kyle Stowers (outfield), Coby Mayo (third base), Heston Kjerstad (outfield) and Connor Norby (second base) are all on the brink of the majors but starting the season in the minors. The Orioles opted to send them down so they can get regular at-bats, wanting their top young talent to come up only when they can get regular playing time.
Only Kjerstad and Stowers are on the 40-man roster, so the Orioles would need to make a move, such as designating someone without options for assignment, to open up a spot.
Andy Kostka contributed reporting to this story.
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Danielle Allentuck covers the Orioles for The Baltimore Banner. She previously reported on the Rockies for the Denver Gazette and general sports assignments for The New York Times as part of its fellowship program. A Maryland native, Danielle grew up in Montgomery County and graduated from Ithaca College.
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