Matt Kemp’s time with the Atlanta Braves really isn’t off to a great start.
In an interview with MLB Network Radio on Sunday, Braves general manager John Coppolella said that Kemp needs to get in better shape and that the team has talked to him about it.
“We see Matt Kemp as a player with a big upside,” Coppolella said, per Michael Cunningham of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “He’s 31 years old. He is not in shape and that’s something we need to work on with him. He’s been told about it. We are going to talk to him more. It’s the kind of thing where, for him, you can’t really do that during the season. It’s not like you can drop 30 pounds during the season and keep playing.”
Since he was acquired by the Braves at the trade deadline for Hector Olivera, Kemp is slashing just .254/.325.423 with two home runs and nine RBIs. It’s understandable that the two-time All-Star may have lost motivation and picked up some bad habits during his time in San Diego. But being out of shape is just not going to cut it, even on an Atlanta team with the worst record in baseball this year.
We’ve already heard this script with the Braves and Kemp before. Seeing as Kemp still has 3 years and $64.5 million remaining on his deal after the season, it will probably be a recurring theme until the slugger finally gets himself into ideal playing shape.
Image Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
H/T Baseball Reddit
