The Indians agreed to a minor league deal with infielder/outfielder Michael Martinez over the weekend, per FanRag’s Robert Murray (Twitter link). Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer writes that a deal is expected to be announced “in the near future.” Martinez will receive an invite to Major League Spring Training.
Martinez, 35, keeps finding his way back to Cleveland. This will be the third minor league deal he’s inked with the Indians, who have twice traded Martinez away only to claim him back off waivers shortly thereafter. In all, he’s spent parts of three seasons in the organization, hitting a combined .257/.289/.331 in 145 Major League plate appearances.
Martinez has never hit much in the Majors, batting just .194/.243/.261 in 621 plate appearances between the Indians, Phillies, Rays, Pirates and Red Sox. He has experience at every position on the field outside of first base and catcher, though, so he’ll likely serve as a versatile depth option in Triple-A with the Indians to open the season. He’s a career .281/.333/.392 hitter at that level.
nothing stops Michael Martinez from signing with the Indians…….NOTHING!!!!!!!
Make it stop. Please, make it stop.
As a Phillies “phan” … I feel your pain. How is this guy still in the league…
Even minor leagues? Lol good for him but yeah I don’t get it
Good clubhouse presence ?
I think every team has a guy like this.
You can even look at the doyuers a couple years ago. They had Ellis forever
“This is gonna be a tough play… Bryant… the Cubs,,, WIN THE WORLD SERIES!!!!!! BRYANT MAKES THE PLAY, IT’S OVER, AND THE CUBS, HAVE FINALLY WON IT ALL, 8-7 IN TEN!!!!”
the best part of the mlbts17 intro
I’d much prefer the Pat Hughes call, but yes. This is all he’ll ever be remembered for.
I’ve listened to those words of Buck so many times.
Thank you, Michael Martinez. I was there to see the most important swing of your life.
The most important swing of any Tribe fans life, taken by a stiff with no better a chance of getting a hit than those same fans…
I cant remember the name, but this reminds me of a guy who kept getting DFA’d by Seattle / Oakland and then the other team would claim him off waivers.
Who was it?
Willie Bloomquist?
Adam Rosales, maybe? If so you have the teams slightly wrong, it was the Rangers and Athletics.
Yes, it was Rosales lol. Thanks
Ohtani who?
Will forever be remembered in my mind as the last guy you wanted at the plate in a game 7 with two outs down a run with a runner at third.
Runner was at first. Either way, definitely the last guy anyone would want in that situation
He wouldn’t start for me at AAA. There’s gotta be better players even in the Korean or Mexican leagues than this stiff. Let me find out Tito had a fling with his momma 36 years ago…
as a twins fan this is great
Can’t wait to see them trade him for cash, then bring him back mid season after he’s waived by that team.
Cash? Do coins count as cash?
Last two years, they’ve dealt him for cash (Boston in 2016, Tampa last year) and he came back to Indians after being released by those other teams
I know that, but cash could be a quarter or even just the plane ticket to get this stiff to their minor league teams city.
This might be the biggest move so far this offseason!!!
FINALLY the big name free agent avalanche commences
This dude’s got more lives than a whole herd of cats
What he didn’t get a five year 2000.00 contract???
Plus a free bus pass in Columbus.
He must just be a really good dude, because both the Phillies and the Indians have each brought him back at least three times despite the fact that he has amassed -1.1 WAR over the course of his career
So, is now the time for him to play 1B?
Actually had more value as a relief pitcher.
I would hate to wish ill towards any player, but this guys now blown Achilles injury has been the only thing to prevent Tito from trotting this guy out there again. Good luck in retirement.