In a rather surprising decision, the Rangers have optioned righty Chris Martin. The move was made, manager Jeff Banister suggested (via Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News), to “protect” the team’s rights to other members of the roster.
The Texas organization signed Martin last winter after he wrapped up a strong run in Japan. He’s promised only $4MM over the two years of his contract, with $550K in potential annual incentives tied to games finished, making him an affordable piece.
Through 24 innings this year, Martin owns a 4.13 ERA with 7.9 K/9 and 1.1 BB/9. The 6’8 hurler, who’s now 32 years of age, has worked at around 95 mph with his fastball while generating a 9.2% swinging-strike rate. Earned run estimators are rather fond of his work to this point, with FIP (3.07), xFIP (3.48), and SIERA (3.25) all grading him as a quality reliever.
It seemed, then, that Martin profiled more as a trade target than a candidate to go down on optional assignment. Banister acknowledges as much, saying: “Chris did not do anything to warrant being optioned. It’s not the optimal move.” It’s still possible that Martin could be dangled over the summer, though presumably they’d have wanted to keep him throwing in the majors if that was a strong possibility.
Despite that assessment, the Rangers felt they had to option out Martin in order to maintain active roster space with first baseman Ronald Guzman being activated. As Grant explains, Rule 5 pick Carlos Tocci remains an obvious roster roadblock, so it seems the Rangers are rather committed to earning permanent rights over the young outfielder.
Keeping Tocci is becoming a real pain in the butt
Why? If the rangers win two more games by not having him on the roster and they finish with 70 wins instead if 68 what’s the difference?
The difference is 2.
It’s a pain in the butt because we’re having to make roster decisions that really we shouldn’t be making, I.e. optioning Martin.
“…..could be danged…..?”
*dangled
Well “nobody said it was easy” to stick in the Majors…
Who?
Chris Martin. The singer from Coldplay.
He has been pitching good! Has potential, also Rangers need to let Tocci go back to Philadelphia unless they think he has potential to be great
Martin needs to stay ! But we are not in contention so it is all about the $$$
Really don’t understand why they option a serviceable reliever to AAA when the problem could be solved by releasing Matt Moore. The guy is a walking trash can. Would trade him for some peanuts and a bucket of balls at this point.
Moore saved himself by becoming a decent multi inning reliever.