After spending his entire nine-year career in Los Angeles, new San Diego Padres outfielder Matt Kemp took to his Instagram account to bid farewell to Dodgers fans who supported him throughout his career.
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With a glut in their outfield that became a major problem in 2014, the Dodgers traded Kemp to their division rival Padres on Thursday in exchange for catcher Yasmani Grandal and two pitching prospects. The Dodgers also threw catcher Tim Federowicz and a reported $32 million in the deal.
Following the trade being announced as official, Kemp took to his Instagram account and thanked the 430,000 people that follow him for their support throughout the years.
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"It is with a lot of emotion that I say goodbye to the city and the fans who have been there since the beginning of my career," Kemp wrote. "You have given me so much. Your faith and support for the last 9 years through good times and bad, homestands and home runs was showcased through the volume of your cheers and the love for your team. I'm thankful to the Dodgers organization for taking a chance on an Oklahoma kid. I believe we control our paths. The paths we take, control our destiny. I'm excited for the future. God Bless"
Kemp avoided injuries and hit .287 through 150 games in his final season with the Dodgers in 2014 with 25 homers and 89 RBI while he ranked fourth in the National League with a .506 slugging percentage.
Kemp, 30, was selected by Los Angeles in the sixth round of the 2003 amateur draft and owns a lifetime .292/.349/.495 slash line with 182 homers and 648 RBI.
Dodgers fans may get to see Kemp play against their team early on as Los Angeles is set to host the Padres on Opening Day at Dodgers Stadium on April 6, 2015.
A photo posted by MLB (@mlb) on Dec 12, 2014 at 1:33pm PST
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