The Indians announced on Thursday that they’ve signed re-signed infielder/outfielder Michael Martinez to a minor league deal and also added veteran backstop Erik Kratz on a minor league pact. Both players will be invited to Major League Spring Training.
Martinez, 34, appeared in 59 games with Cleveland last year and batted .242/.265/.316 with a homer and four doubles in 99 plate appearances (across two stints with the team). The longtime Phillies utility piece showed some versatility by appearing at all three outfield positions, second base, shortstop and third base this past season. For his career, he’s graded out as a roughly average infielder all around the diamond, and while he doesn’t bring much to the table from an offensive standpoint, that level of versatility can certainly be valuable to a club, even if he doesn’t excel at any one defensive position. Young Erik Gonzalez would seem to have the inside track on a utility role for Cleveland next year, but there could be room for Martinez as well depending on how the rest of the team’s offseason shakes out.
Kratz, 36, appeared in 33 games with the Astros and Pirates last season but struggled to a .094/.105/.153 batting line in his 87 trips to the plate. While he’s never been a standout offensive contributor, Kratz has certainly delivered better production than that in the past, as he entered the 2016 season as a lifetime .218/.270/.397 hitter in 560 Major League plate appearances. Cleveland figures to deploy Yan Gomes and Roberto Perez as its primary receivers in 2017, but Kratz could see some time at Triple-A or be a veteran depth option in the Majors should an injury force the need. He’s thrown out 34 percent of opposing base thieves in his career and typically receives positive framing grades both in the minors and in the Majors.
didn’t Erik Kratz play drums in Stone Temple Pilots?
That was Eric Kretz.
Michael Martinez, my favorite Indian for obvious reasons.
Boo.
Don’t worry, there’s always next year. (Feels so nice to say that to someone else for a change)
Martinez has an odd background story – didn’t sign until 22 (basically ancient for an amateur from the DR), turns out he was discovered by MLB scouts while playing in an amateur league for Dominican law enforcement and military members in 2004.
Nice!
Martinez is easily the worst position player in the MLB, keep him in the minors!!!
The final out of the 2016 World Series featured Mike Montgomery pitching to Michael Martinez with Miguel Montero behind the plate. How crazy is that?
The Braves got fleeced by the Cardinals yet again. Wow.
Indians stocking up on ex buccos…