OAKLAND, Calif. — The Oakland A’s agreed to terms with right-handed pitcher Paul Blackburn, infielder/outfielder Tony Kemp and outfielder Ramón Laureano on one-year contracts for the 2023 season, the club announced today. The A’s have now signed or agreed to terms with all arbitration-eligible players on the 40-man roster.
Blackburn completed his sixth consecutive season with the A’s in 2022 and was 7-6 with a 4.28 ERA in 21 starts after combining for a 6-11 record and a 5.74 ERA in 30 games, including 27 starts, over his first five seasons. He had career highs in every category and his ERA and .752 opponents OPS were his lowest since posting marks of 3.22 and .686 in 10 starts as a rookie in 2017. The 29-year-old right-hander was named to his first American League All-Star team as he got off to a strong start, going 6-2 with a 2.26 ERA, .616 opponents OPS and three home runs allowed over his first 13 starts through June 16. His season ended early when he was placed on the injured list Aug. 10 with an inflamed right middle finger.
Kemp got off to a slow start last year as he was hitting .203 with 11 doubles, two home runs and 14 RBI in 85 games at the All-Star Break. He then batted .278 with 13 doubles, two triples, five home runs and 32 RBI in 62 games after the break and combined for a .235 average and .641 OPS in 147 games overall. The 31-year-old left-handed hitter had career highs in runs (61), hits (117), doubles (24), RBI (46), hit by pitches (8), stolen bases (11), extra base hits (33), games and at bats (497). Kemp led the A’s in games started at second base (67) and in left field (61) and also made two starts at designated hitter.
Laureano batted a career-low .211 with 13 home runs and 34 RBI in 94 games in a season shortened by two stints on the injured list and one on the suspended list. He was hit by a pitch a career-high tying 12 times, which tied for eighth in the American League, and tied for the team lead with 11 stolen bases. The 28-year-old right-handed hitter started a team-leading 58 games in right field and also made 29 starts in center field and five at designated hitter. Laureano had five outfield assists and now has 33 since making his Major League debut on Aug. 3, 2018, which is third most in the majors over that span.
