Elephant Rumblings: Will Tony Kemp stay with the A’s?

Happy Wednesday, Athletics Nation!

Tony Kemp is walking up to Rihanna’s “Desperado” as a nod to teammate Chad Pinder, who hits free agency this offseason.

For his own part, Kemp will hit his final year of arbitration next season, and Matt Kawahara at the San Francisco Chronicle noted yesterday that the 30-year-old second baseman and outfielder hopes to remain in green and gold in 2023.

Kemp’s offensive numbers have dropped significantly since last season, but he’s greatly improved through the second half of 2022. He’s also put on some dazzling defensive displays, including this jaw-dropping catch last week in Anaheim.

Heading into yesterday’s game, Kemp’s performance this season had been good for 1.4 fWAR, third among A’s current position players, and since coming to Oakland in 2020 he’s put up 5.1 fWAR.

• Kemp, Oakland 2020-22: .252/.341/.361, 106 wRC+, 15 HR, 22 SB, 10.5% BB, 12.5% Ks

A’s manager Mark Kotsay remarked that Kemp, a product of the Astros system, is accustomed to playing on winning teams and as a more experienced player on a rebuilding A’s club, he may have felt too much pressure to compensate for the huge exodus of talent that has taken place since last offseason.

“I think the second half, he finally let that go and he’s just being one of the guys and playing the game,” said Kotsay.

So what say ye, AN? Would you have TK back in 2023? And if so, under what terms?

Put me down as a “hell yes!”

A’s Coverage:

• Martin: A’s end Ohtani’s streak with another walk-off win vs. Angels
• Shea: Stephen Vogt, broadcaster, manager or executive? A’s officials scout his post-career possibilities ($)
• Kawahara: Tony Kemp eyes 2023 with A’s: ‘I feel like the job’s not done’ ($)
• Lockard: A’s prospect Mason Miller riding a 100-mph fastball into the AFL spotlight ($)
• Gallegos: Kemp honors Pinder with Rihanna song, walk-off

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• Kirschner: Inside Aaron Judge’s astonishing march to MLB, and Yankees, history, one home run at a time ($)
• Adams: Previewing The 2022-23 Free Agent Class: Third Basemen
• Torres and Brock: How Mariners rookie Julio Rodríguez became the new ‘king of Seattle’ ($)
• Buchanan: Rangers prospect Kumar Rocker is finally ready to speak with his arm ($)
• Franco: Johnny Cueto Open To Return To White Sox
• Tobener: The SF Giants should pay to rebuild the Double Play
• McDonald: José Abreu: No Talks With White Sox About New Contract
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