Prior to last season, the Padres dramatically re-shaped their roster, making numerous additions in an attempt to challenge for a division title. Two of the more prominent names, James Shields and Matt Kemp, are now gone. On Wednesday, Padres executive chairman Ron Fowler didn’t hold back on expressing his feelings about the former members of the organization.
Shields was traded in early June to the White Sox and Kemp was shipped to the Braves last week after neither lived up to expectations placed on them when they arrived. Part of the problem, atleast according to Fowler, was related to their attitudes.
“We made a conscious decision to ship them out because we want people that are prepared to improve,” Fowler said, via The San Diego Tribune. “If you’re making a lot of money and you think you’re already there, you’re not going to get better.”
After being traded, Kemp wrote a letter published on The Players’ Tribune where he talked about the reputation he gained for being selfish and lazy. While Kemp feels much of it was not warranted and declared those days in the rear view mirror, Fowler went as far as to call the outfielder’s words “a bunch of BS.”
“You saw Kemp’s letter. Talk about a bunch of BS,” Fowler said.
After a 16-4 loss to the Mariners earlier this season, Fowler called Shields’ performance an “embarrassment to the team” so we know he’s not shy about expressing his feelings on players. It’s understandable Fowler would be disappointed the team’s moves didn’t produce better results. He wants to see a winner in San Diego as much as the fans do. One thing is for sure, we know what type of player won’t be welcome around Petco Park anytime soon.
H/T The Big Lead
