Los Angeles Dodgers: Yes, Matt Kemp is still a Dodger; enjoy it

When the Los Angeles Dodgers traded for Matt Kemp it struck a nostalgic chord. However, many expected Kemp to be out quicker than he came in. That has not been the case.

Matt Kemp was the first superstar I had seen on the Los Angeles Dodgers. Well, scratch that, Manny Ramirez was. Matt Kemp was the first superstar I had cared about on the Los Angeles Dodgers.

I was too young for Eric Gagne, I was born in the same year that Mike Piazza demanded a trade out of LA. As a young kid, the closest thing to a superstar on the Los Angeles Dodgers was a young Russell Martin or Andre Ethier; or an aging Nomar Garciaparra, Rafael Furcal and Jeff Kent.

The Dodgers’ best pitchers when I fell in love with the team were Brad Penny, Chad Billingsley and Derek Lowe. This was not a great group of guys, I had no idea why I liked them, other than the fact that my dad bled Dodger blue like it was a passion.

Clayton Kershaw eventually emerged as the team’s ace when I was 11 years old. I remember playing Tony Hawk’s Underground when my dad came home and told me that Manny Ramirez was traded to the Dodgers. Those two, by all means, were stars.

The first superstar I really fell in love with, though, was Matt Kemp. And yes, I am biased.

In 2011 Kemp put together perhaps the second-best offensive season this century for the Dodgers (behind Adrian Beltre’s 2004).

Kemp hit .324, slugged 39 home runs and 126 RBIs while stealing 40 bases. He was one home run away from being in the 40-40 club. One dry, thick LA day away from joining an illustrious group of four guys; Jose Canseco, Barry Bonds, Alex Rodriguez and Alfonso Soriano.

Kemp finished second in NL MVP voting to Ryan Braun, who later got busted for taking PEDs. I remember how furious I was, how I developed a personal hatred for Braun that still harbors today. Kemp was my favorite player, and quite frankly, may be my all-time favorite player. I have yet to latch onto someone like I did with Kemp.

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Thus, when I found out that the Dodgers traded for Kemp in a salary dump trade with the Atlanta Braves I couldn’t help but smile. Sure, this is a Kemp that is a shell of himself, sucks defensively and has a history of locker room problems.

Sure, the Dodgers had to give up Adrian Gonzalez, who was my dad’s favorite player. Immediately when the trade happened, thoughts of a new trade emerged. Kemp was obviously just a smaller gear in a larger functioning machine. There was no way that he would be with the Dodgers to end 2018.

There would be no way that Kemp would make it to the Los Angeles Dodgers Fan Fest on January 27. Oh, but don’t worry, there is not a chance that Kemp will make it to Spring Training. Spring Training has started, Matt Kemp is still a Dodger. Instead of bickering about how the Dodgers should have already traded him, enjoy it while it lasts.

Because it won’t last very long. If Kemp does not produce, the Dodgers may simply cut him to free the roster space. LA may be intrigued to package an elite prospect to get rid of him. The front office has made it apparent they want to move him. As the fans, let’s at least give him a chance.

I know get is not the same and I know he is a defensively liability. I also know that the Dodgers would be foolish to start Kemp; it’s the simple reality.

However, what I definitely know is that all those that demanded Kemp to be traded will be jumping for joy like it is 2011 when he hits that first home run back in Dodger Stadium. Love it or hate it, we all have a soft spot for Matt Kemp.

And hey, you never Know, a revitalized Kemp (who is entering camp in amazing shape) may thrive back home in LA. The offense may outweigh the defense headaches in left field. While he will never have an everyday role, he still can make his impact felt, especially with an unclear situation in left field.

Next: Who is the next Cody Bellinger?

So, Dodger fans, I ask you this of favor: instead of groaning about the Kemp trade that has not happened yet, accept the fact that Matt Kemp is still on the Los Angeles Dodgers and support him like it is 2011. You never know, anything can happen in Chavez Ravine; just ask Chris Taylor, Justin Turner and Alex Wood.

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