Oakland Athletics agree to 1-year contracts with Kemp, Blackburn and Laureano

Paul Blackburn, Tony Kemp, and Ramón Laureano have agreed to one-year deals to return to the Oakland Athletics in 2023.

The team said in its press release announcing the moves that the A’s “have now signed or agreed to terms with all arbitration-eligible players on the 40-man roster.”

The A’s have 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 A’s have now signed or agreed to terms with all arbitration-eligible players on the 40-man roster.

— Oakland A's Communications (@AthleticsPR) January 13, 2023

Blackburn was named to his first All-Star game this past season, starting the season 6-2 with a 2.26 ERA. The  29-year-old right-handed pitcher finished the year with a 7-6 record in 21 starts.

Kemp had the opposite happen. The dual-position player started the year slow, before turning things around and ending the year with .235 batting average. 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).”

Laureano’s seasons was shortened due to multiple trips to the injured list. Playing only 94 games, the centerfielder hit a career-low .211 batting average.

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