10:09pm: Martinez has actually already established residency in Haiti and petitioned the league for free agency, tweets MLB.com’s Jesse Sanchez. Certainly, that would accelerate his timeline to striking a deal with a big league club, though there could still be months until that can realistically happen. In the meantime, Martinez’s camp is set to host a showcase for MLB clubs in the month of December.
12:31pm: Cuban outfielder Julio Pablo Martinez has become the latest player to leave his home island in search of an opportunity in the majors, according to Ben Badler of Baseball America. That said, it could still be some time before he has that chance.
First of all, Martinez is still just 21 years of age. Badler notes that he’s prepared for an assignment at the High-A or Double-A level, so he’s not too far from the majors, but obviously doesn’t appear to be a player that teams would see as likely to contribute in the immediate future.
Beyond that, there are still the usual hoops to jump through. Martinez will need to establish third-country residency and obtain clearance. Then, he’ll have to navigate the sometimes-choppy waters of international free agency. Since he’s subject to MLB’s international bonus restrictions, his earning power is limited. To maximize it, Badler notes, Martinez could be forced to wait until the next July 2nd period, when more organizations will be able to commit more money than is presently possible.
Martinez certainly seems to be a player worth keeping an eye on. Badler cites his power and speed combination. At least in Serie Nacional, Martinez also carried intriguing plate discipline marks. In his most recent season there, he posted a .333/.469/.498 batting line, going down on strikes thirty times while drawing a remarkable 52 walks in 264 plate appearances and posting six long balls and 24 steals. Martinez also played in the Canadian-American Association this year, where he slashed .297/.345/.449 and carried a more pedestrian 56:17 K/BB ratio over 255 plate appearances.
Though the flow of Cuban talent isn’t what it once was, and won’t command the same investments because of MLB rule changes, it remains an important factor on the market. The more advanced Yulieski Gurriel played a big role this year for the Astros, for example. His brother, Lourdes Gurriel, and well-regarded prospect Luis Robert were among those to score big contracts before the rules changed. As Badler notes, highly-touted youngsters such as Victor Mesa remain in Cuba.
Maybe Girzaliak can do what they do best while negotiating and just “barely” miss out…
You mean Mozeliak of the Cardinals!!! He takes pride in saying “Well…..We tried!”
We’ll “kick the tires” here in San Francisco. I guess that’s the SF version of “Well… we tried”
No, I mean the 2 headed monster of Mike (Rand Paul) Girsh & John (pseudo intellectual) Mozaliak that’s morphed into one figure!
That’s who I meant…
Last one off the island turn the lights out…
Meh
I’m curious as to what the legal status is nowadays.
After the diplomatic relations got re-established, my understanding is that a legal procedure that involves clearances from both US and Cuba has been set up, through which Cuban players can come play in US (after appropriate steps are taken–I’m guessing need for 3rd country residency remains unchanged.)
But relations between US and Cuba have been changing a bit for the worse lately, and I wonder if that affects the process now, assuming that is, the player doesn’t just defect–assuming that’s even allowed now.
Yeah trump is an idiot
Ya what an idiot… he doesn’t love communists like Obama did
Why not ask the real Cubans from south florida that fled castro and his enslaver’s many decades ago and those people’s descendants what they think about obama’s and his lunacy? i know a bit about the plight of ordinary cuban’s also.. Was involved in the mariel boatlift.. Picking up refugees fleeing sometimes in rowboats at sea.. Not the US, but CASTRO and CUBA..
Some people should keep dumb opinions to themselves.. YOU are one.
Ya trump doesn’t love communism like Obama did…. idiot
Kys
@xscalabr I suppose there are so many Cubans in Florida and the USA because they thought Castro was such a good guy, and they thought that living under communist dictatorship and being poor in Cuba was so good. What did Obama say about that exactly? Nothing.
What was that about Trump? Indeed…..
“Yeah trump is an idiot”….And turning a baseball discussion into a political one (for either side “Ya what an idiot… he doesn’t love communists like Obama did”) is a sign of genius? If you can’t go a few minutes a day without being consumed by political bias/disdain you may have a problem. Leave the politics at the door please.
The new restrictions are against those U.S. businesses whose money goes to the Cuban government and not the citizens.
Trump’s not the idiot, you are.
obama was terrible. his trip to Cuba was a knife in the back of an entire generation of Cubans. But these fans wouldn’t know anything about that. Obama good, Trump bad. F’n cavemen. To be clear I Am Not a Trump supporter. However, I am too smart to automatically hate every move he makes while praising an inferior fool like obama or a lying murderer like Hilary.
Seems intriguing to me. The K/BB is very impressive.
I’d love for the Mets to take a shot at signing him. He may be a couple years away, which could work nicely for the Mets who likely will have an opening.
The Braves could get him real quick. Won’t necessarily follow the international rules but whatever!!
Future banner line: Outfielder JP Martinez Signs For $2 Million. Those of us who are not as thorough will be duped.
If the Phillies don’t sign this guy I won’t complain.
I don’t know if this guys gonna do good in the majors but curious to see who gets him and how he does.
He “says” he’s 21. Right
Go get em Coppy!
way
wat*
Pls, Bucs…sign this guy. You have the money.