The Los Angeles Dodgers made a surprise trade a year ago, acquiring a familiar face in Matt Kemp from the Atlanta Braves in what was a salary-motivated trade to get below the luxury tax threshold for the 2018 season.
After acquiring him, the Dodgers had no plans of keeping Kemp. However, when they were unable to find a trade partner, Kemp reported to Spring Training and wound up winning the starting left field job.
Kemp had a resurgence in his second stint with the Dodgers, being named an All-Star starter for the National League and then taking home NL Comeback Player of the Year honors.