Former All-Star Matt Kemp Reportedly Returning to Los Angeles Dodgers in Advisory Role

According to USA Today's Bob Nightengale, longtime Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder is set to rejoin the team in a new off-the-field position this spring.
Former All-Star Matt Kemp Reportedly Returning to Los Angeles Dodgers in Advisory Role
Former All-Star Matt Kemp Reportedly Returning to Los Angeles Dodgers in Advisory Role

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The Los Angeles Dodgers are expected to hire longtime outfielder Matt Kemp in an advisory role, USA Today's Bob Nightengale reported Sunday morning.

It is unclear what exactly Kemp's new position would entail, but he won't be the first former player to join the club behind the scenes this offseason. Nelson Cruz stepped in as an advisor for the Dodgers in November, while Raúl Ibañez was named Vice President of Baseball Development and Special Projects in January.

Kemp played for Los Angeles from 2006 to 2014, then again in 2018. The three-time All-Star also earned two Gold Gloves and two Silver Sluggers during his time with the Dodgers.

Including his brief stints with the San Diego Padres, Atlanta Braves, Cincinnati Reds and Colorado Rockies, Kemp finished his MLB career with 1,808 hits, 287 home runs, 1,031 RBI, 184 stolen bases, a .284 batting average, an .821 OPS and a 21.4 WAR.

Shortly after making his first All-Star appearance in 2009, Kemp took his game to a new level in 2011 when he led in NL with 39 home runs, 126 RBI and an 8.0 WAR. His .324 batting average ranked third in the league, while his 40 stolen bases and .986 OPS ranked second.

Kemp's career earnings exceeded $174 million. He last appeared in a big league contest with the Rockies in 2020, but has never expressly confirmed his retirement from the sport.

Now 39 years old, Kemp is set to rejoin an organization he called home for a third of his life.

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Sam Connon
SAM CONNON

Sam Connon is a staff writer covering baseball for “Fastball on SI.’’ He previously covered UCLA Athletics for On SI’s All Bruins site, and is a UCLA graduate, with his work there as a sports columnist receiving awards from the College Media Association and Society of Professional Journalists. Connon also wrote for On SI’s New England Patriots site, Patriots Country, and he was on the Patriots and Boston Red Sox beats at Prime Time Sports Talk. Sam lives in Boston.

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