Matt Kemp Possibilities

gilesfan said:
Do people actually believe that players step into the box and not try to get a hit? Or try harder at times?
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As far as in-game motivation for players, I see that as very minimal when you compare the most-focused player in the league to the least-focused player. The much more significant difference would be in motivation to work on ones craft the rest of the time (staying in good physical and mental condition, extra work in the offseason, arriving at sprint training before your required reporting date, maximizing work with instructors during spring training, coming to the park early to work during the season, staying after the game during the season to work on something, etc.). It's no secret that the latter has been a concern for Kemp at many points during his career . . . some would argue for most of his career.
 
msstate7 said:
I'm like that at my job. Do you feel the concentration is the same for a hitter in an 8-1 game as it is with the game on the line? I've never been an MLB hitter, so I have no idea
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What is the motivation of the pitcher in an 8-1 game? And if the pitcher has less motivation then how do you quantify it because I don't think "Trying" gets you an extra free 100 OPS points.

Just from my non professional days, we tended to be more upset when we didn't get hits in blowouts.......its like free coins vs. crappy pitchers. Of course, my viewpoint really means nothing.
 
smootness said:
But these are also pretty much the guys with the highest .0000000001% of talent in the profession as well.

You can squander talent by lacking focus and motivation, but if you lack it to that degree, you're probably not going to do well in anything. Most of the guys who are major league players are in the elite of the elite in baseball talent and are focused and motivated, as a majority of people who are successful in any profession are.

Let's not pretend like the thing separating Barry Bonds from guys who didn't play beyond high school is his focus and motivation.
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Also, not claiming baseball players are the smartest in the world, but who wants to half ass it in the box with a pitcher throwing 90 mph?
 
thewupk said:
I seriously doubt motivation and pride are the reasons Kemp has been bad defensively and declined offensively the last few years. At least to the point where trying really hard will get him back to his LA prime days.
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probably right on offense.

I could see it on defense. If he's out there not into the game it will impact his jumps on balls. etc. Could impact how hard he runs etc.

It will be interesting to see how much of his d is overweight, bad hips, lack of interest/effort, lack of skill.
 
msstate7 said:
Or a trade to an AL team as a DH
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I like this idea, I just don't see it in real life.

Coppy seems to really believe Kemp was the reason everyone hit better.

For an AL team to want him and his crazy money for 3 more years he's got to OPS right at .900. If that's the case I don't think we'll trade him.

I don't know why an AL team would want an 0.800 OPS DH only who makes 20 million.
 
I apologize guys. I selected Matt Kemp for my fantasy team after reading thethe rave about him.
 
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