Jose Martinez signed a two-year deal that will keep him in St. Louis through the 2020 season, the team announced (via Twitter). The team will pay the Octagon client $3.25MM guaranteed, plus incentives, per Fancred’s Jon Heyman (via Twitter).
Martinez, a late-bloomer, played his first full season in the big leagues in 2017 at the age of 28, so this deal, interestingly, protects Martinez against a possible non-tender next season, his first of arbitration eligibility. Martinez gets a little extra security, and the Cardinals send a message to the rest of the league that they’re not going to be giving up Martinez for free. The deal does not alter the Cardinals length of control over Martinez, who will be eligible for arbitration again in 2021 and 2022. Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch adds further context to the deal (via Twitter), as Martinez had opportunities to make more money in Japan. The deal forestalls conversations of a transfer by rewarding Martinez’s strong 2018 with some early financial security.
Since the Cardinals acquired Paul Goldschmidt from the Diamondbacks, trade winds have howled around Martinez, who has long been pegged as a future DH. Martinez figures to get a few starts at first and a few at designated hitter when interleague play allows, but his playing time will be cut a year after the big right-hander received 84 starts at first base and established himself as a regular in the St. Louis lineup. Goldschmidt, of course, is a free agent at season’s end, so keeping Martinez under lock and key provides the Cardinals future security as well.
Though not a strong defender, Martinez does provide some versatility – he started 46 games in right field in 2018 and figures to have a chance at more regular playing time this year if he can outmuscle the competition. Tyler O’Neill, 23, will take his best shot after a promising 130 at-bats in 2019, as will veteran Dexter Fowler, who figures to have first dibs if he can rebound from a tough 2018.
Still, the Cardinals clearly value Martinez for his bat, even if his primary role this season will be as a pinch-hitter. After hitting .305/.365/.457 last season, the challenge this season comes in finding at-bats. Considering Martinez was already under team control, there’s little risk involved here for St. Louis, though it does perhaps change the expectations of trade partners looking to snag Martinez on the cheap.
Thought they were trying to unload him.
Probably team-friendly, and makes it easier to trade him
My understanding is this is so that Jose can help get his family out of Venezuela and help as many of his countrymen as possible. The deal is roughly the league minimum plus the cardinals projection for his first year in arbitration divided by two. Read it at post dispatch, so not my news, just my understanding of what I read.
It sounds like all this does is put a number on his first arb season. A strange extension though, doesn’t even cover his last 2 arb years
I thought so also but he’s arguably just as or more desirable under an extended contract to other teams, similar to Brad Hand in 2018. St. Louis might also keep him if there is implementation of the DH in the NL next year.
How do people keep getting this wrong – extensions that buy out free agent years are COMPLETELY different from extensions that lock in arb salaries. The latter saves you, at best, a few million bucks. The former can save you tens of millions
Have to admit I didn’t read this article and thought Martinez was set to become a free agent after this year.
Reading it would have taken a lot less time than commenting.
Mo believes the DH is coming soon. This signing is do to that.
That factor doesnt matter. He was under their control either way.
Yeah, that has nothing to due with it whatsoever
Hahahaha!
If you read the article, he was offered more money to go play in Japan, so he was probably considering leaving. This was to keep him under their control.
So basically we’re going to pay him during the 2020 strike. Good move MO. Smh
Strike? Players playing 3 yrs CBA left, they agreed
Teams don’t pay players during a strike.
Ummm you dont know how strikes work do you?
They didn’t want to trade him, but recognized he was a waste of potential on the bench. Worth testing the market, as he’d be one of the better DH’s in baseball. The interest was there, but the offers weren’t.
Trying to “unload him”? you make it seem like he’s a washed veteran on a bad contract. he was arguably their best overall hitter last season. defensively limited but still a very good hitter.
Some cost certainty. Doesn’t really affect whether or not he gets traded though. Unless the buyer prefers said cost certainty
Team friendly and protects the player. Win-win for each
great teammate, good hitter. crazy to think he went from almost certainly being traded, to being extended and staying with cards at least for the time being.
He was already under control through 2022. This doesn’t change that
Cost-certainty buy out potential expensive Arb yrs
This more desirable than simply under arb control. 2 yr extension + 2 Arb is better than 4 yrs Arb imo
They are buying out one pre arb year and one arb year but yeah they likely saved some money if he performs this year and he knows how much he has coming in over the next 2 seasons
Yea, I was talking generally. Cost-certainty could be better than future unknown Arb.
Did not know he was pre-Arb!
Just like his future performance…
The exact terms of this ext. are not yet known
Update: (If only we knew future performance as fast as this contract update lol)
He got $3.25MM guaranteed, plus incentives.
I guess they are preparing for the national league to adopt the DH
Maybe they have inside knowledge?
He’s under control until 23, so the two things don’t really have much of anything in common. They really just saved a bit of money through his first arb.
Did they read that in an email?
So how does buying out on arb year help prepare them for the DH? He was under control already.
Insurance. For when Ozuna walks.
Probably the type of deal they offered Pham a year ago
Probably no where close to the dollar amount they offered Pham.
I didn’t see dollar amount, I said ‘type of deal’
I figure it something like 2/$2.2M, but he gets $800K this year and $1.4M next year.
He had another year as a sub $600K player, and his arb track had him around $1.5M for next year.
So they give him a good chunk of promised cash, lower his arbitration track, and gain cost certainty.
I could also see $750K and then $1.25M
Pham rejected the Cards 2/$4 million offer.
Factoring in his salary last year and his $4.1 million salary this upcoming season, I guess he came out on top.
Can’t really compare it to Martinez. Pham would have probably been a MVP finalist in 2017 if he had another month of consistent play in the majors.
Martinez is well aware half of his game is completely missing.
Pham is north of 30, has eye issues (degenerative disease i think), asked for much more money, then had some comments about the FO…2018 started super slow and an injury so they traded for genesis Cabrera. Good for both clubs i think.
Pham has keratoconus and at his age the disease is pretty much settled. I’m no expert but just google searched and that’s from wiki. Jose’s is in tip top shape and his bat speed should be here for a few more years. Let’s hope he can develop a bit more pop resembling 2017. Good deal!
Pham is a known talker. He’s going to speak his mind. How do you approach him at 28/29 and offer 2/$4 million after he hit .300/.400/.500 over 125 games? DeJong got 6/$30 million contract at the start of the 2018 Spring Training after an inspiring rookie season.
IMO Pham was rightfully upset, especially after DeJong’s contract. He’s just trying to look out for himself.
It was a good trade for both sides. We needed a big bat off the bench and a depth starter. Rays needed a value ballplayer. In the end Pham made an extra $500,000 gambling on himself. I suppose that’s a lot considering the numbers involved.
Can’t use Pham’s injury against him when JMart’s injuries sidetracked his career even more. There is no time table for Pham’s disease and he has contacts to counter it. I’d say they work well if he’s hitting .300/.400/.500 for the Rays to finish the last season.
Jose is not in “tip-top” shape. He can’t run and he can’t play defense. Pretty sure he was up there with the worst defenders in baseball in a fraction of the time.
It was a good deal for the Cards as we got nice prospects in return. But if you’re doing a head to head comparison, JMart only has good value in a bench/DH position.
Just compare Pham’s trade return to JMart’s offers. Our best offer for JMart was apparently a so-so utility player and a fringe prospect.
Cost-certainty for team/player. Could be preparing for the DH (hopefully) could be insurance for Goldy walking, too.
If we get the DH in the NL, it’ll be after the new CBA. Which is basically after Martinez will be useful to the Cards
mo is getting mo and mo stupid
Pot, meet Kettle….
Don’t know how this is stupid it could make him more interesting in a trade if they wanted to trade him and if the NL adopts the DH next year the Cards got a great one in JM. Also the guy flat out deserves it.
Please, … no mo insults.
Fowler isnt any better in RF. Never has been a + defender on UZR/150 since 2008 for 50 innings.
The Cardinals have allot of interchangeable pieces. Even if he performs well, Dexter Fowler may be part of a salary swap type trade.
I am glad for Jose Martinez that he received an extension. But, Paul Goldschmidt should have been the first to have an extension because we definitely need a slugger in the lineup.
Comparing the two is ludicrous. Jitterbug’s extension is basically what you give to a first year arb utility infielder. Goldy is an elite player who isn’t going to sign an extension before he even plays a game for them.
Goldschmidt is also nearing an age when some players start to decline. An extension makes less sense now for the Cardinals than it does for Goldschmidt because he’s unlikely to take a discount.
You do know that the player has to agree, right?
You don’t think they have tried an extension?
Someone said it was insurance if Ozuna walks, however, I think it’s more so insurance if Goldy walks. Martinez is a good ballplayer for sure. He comes from a good baseball pedigree as well, his dad was an outfielder back in the 80’s for the White Sox. He earn his extension no doubt. Late bloomer guys like this have such a small window to make money. Good for him!
I thought his dad played for the Indians?
He (Jose’s father) played on several teams at multiple positions. I recall he was a natural free-swinger. I also recall he played some games in OF with CWS.
— Carlos Alberto Martínez Escobar was a Venezuelan professional corner infielder. He played for the Chicago White Sox, Cleveland Indians and California Angels of Major League Baseball in all or parts of seven seasons spanning 1988–1995. Listed at 6′ 5″, 175 lb., he batted and threw right handed. (Wikipedia)
— This name uses Spanish naming customs: the first or paternal family name is Martínez and the second or maternal family name is Escobar. (Wikipedia)
I’m sure he did, I remember Carlos Martinez mostly as a White Sox prospect though. He was highly regarded but never panned out.. His career was cut short due to a long battle with cancer. He died at the young age of 40. Sad stuff.
All of Cardinals top hitting prospects are corner infielders.
How is it protection? He was already under control and will be for two more years after this deal.
Goldschmidt is in a whole different payscale than Cafe. lol
I mean of they gave him a decent raise then the cardinal way says they’ll play him instead of Tyler O’Neill this year. Which means based on his production in AAA last year Tyler’s gonna hit 50 bombs in Memphis. lol
I really like Tyler and hate to see him down in AAA, but I’m greedy and want Memphis to win too, just sayin’
His dad did play for Cleveland.
The DH is coming, and I will never understand those that argue against the DH. The arguments for the DH greatly outweigh the argument against it. It is a perfect solution for a player on your team who is a outstanding offensive player but blocked at a position and can’t field well anyways. It can also gives older players longer playing careers in the aspect of AB’s and potential milestones and makes for a more exciting game with the amount of runs scored and hone runs.
If you can’t understand the other side of the argument, you have no right to your opinion. I’m pro DH, but I do understand the Anti-DH crowd and could probably argue their side just as well as mine.
There argument is essentially they like the strategy and history of the game. Pitchers need to apply more strategy with their selection and placement of pitches facing a good professional hitter vs a pitcher, so that argument doesn’t hold much ground for me. That is not a good enough argument. And I DO HAVE THE RIGHT TO VOICE MY OPINION! This is not Nazi germany or the USSR.
I have every right to voice my opinion! Their argument is essentially they like the strategy and history of the game. Pitchers need to apply more strategy with their selection and placement of their pitches facing a good professional hitter vs a pitcher. That is not a good enough argument for me.
Chicks,your rationale is not chic.
It is much simpler to simply ignore the opposite opinion and disdain moderation.
After all,that is how many in America currently look at issues,and many of the commenters on this site do also.
Treating things in your manner just complicates the issue as it takes too much intelligence to do so.
My argument for the DH is that it keeps players in the game that shouldn’t be there Adam Dunn is my example. I believe it taints the record books by extending players careers.
On a personal level I like seeing the chess match when pitchers have to hit. It leaves some interest in the game of wether or not to keep a pitcher in the game.
Why shouldn’t they be there? If they can still hit the ball over the wall and be a huge productive offensive player, they need to still be in the lineup. Pitchers are not productive with only few exceptions. Why don’t you want a higher possibility of scoring and helping your team? That makes no sense to me.
Same reason you give for the pitcher shouldn’t be there…
Your complaint can be boiled down to pitchers can play the field but stink at hitting. These DH’s are the same way in reverse
Only difference is the game was originally, and for over a hundred years, played a certain way. With every position in the field having to hit. It’s part of the game. Just flip it, every batter needs to field a position. This aint football son!
Now the biggest issue. Pace of play. Mo offense takes mo time to play out. If the league is going to make a big stink about the length of a game, adding offense is counterproductive
Finally, if it ain’t broke don’t fix it! The last time a bunch of people whined about changing the game with a dh they created a new league, the A.L. That somehow wasn’t enough?
Every position must hit is the only argument that does have some merit, I get that. However, I think no one is against the pinch hitter. Why have a pinch hitter but no designated hitter? It’s the same concept, your substituting a hitter for a better hitter. To be clear, if the pitcher can hit well then he should be in the lineup but I believe the team should have the ability to choose in both leagues to substitute the pitcher for a designated hitter. As for pace of play, I say more baseball the better. I love baseball and watching more of it is awesome. The American League was created way way before the DH was established.
this aint it
He had better offers in Japan, so with the incentives it probably evens out (if he hits the kickers). Couldn’t lose him for nothing. And once Goldschmidt gets paid Martinez will likely be moved.
$3.25M is quite a bit more than I thought he’d get. But it’s a smart short extension for team and player
He was going to get ~500K this year and then be due for arbitration next year. He only needed ~ 2.7 MM to make up the difference for an arb 1 salary. With the way arb panels look at traditional stats like BA HRs rbis and ignore defense it wouldn’t be hard for me to believe he’d get that.
I agree
This was a move by the Cardinals just incase the DH doesn’t get added. If he rakes this year and hits arbitration, they might not be able to afford to keep a bench bat for a lot of money. This keeps him from being a CJ Cron or Corey Dickerson situation where he is going to cost more than he is worth.
It does not prevent that situation. It’s increasingly likely he will face that situation in ARB2 and certainly by arb 3. He was never going to be prohibitively expensive his first time through arbitration.
Selling Jose’s rights to a foreign club doesn’t help the stl roster, but leaves them with a player who could be making more elsewhere. So stl roughly matches the $ and has a happy employee. This type of gesture is not uncommon for stl.
That is dirt cheap. Given his age and defensive liability, I am not sure if JM can have any value by the time he becomes FA. He doesn’t hit many HR/RBI either.. probably won’t fetch much during his arb years. If he just says fxxx it and go to Japan, highest paid Japanese League player makes ~$7m. I bet JM can make at least $5m there. And that Japanese league only tax foreigners 20% max tax.. net income would be probably close to ~8m in MLB. Not sure if he can ever make that. Better just breach contract with Cardinals and go to Japan.
A lot of people must not have read the article closely. Yes he is under control already, but he was offered a lot of money to play in Asia. This deal was to keep him here under team control.
No way Jose
That’s great for Jose. The guy has a great attitude, has put in his work and it’s paying off. Regardless if the business side makes sense I’m happy that he is getting some security. He earned it.
My fantasy team was really hoping for a new home for Jose :0(
This Cardinal team is so loaded it’s almost unfair. Have you guys been watching the game today? WoW!
Didnt count
Smart, cheap move. The Cardinals protect themselves against Goldschmidt leaving, and prepare for the possibility of a DH. The league should let teams know by the trade deadline if there going to implement it in 2020.
Dh or no dh?
Two sides to every story, right?
Wrong – there is a 3rd side John Scmoltz has discussed. You play your Offense and defense like football. Players can play both sides but they don’t have to.
Put your best athletes on the field . Best hitters bat and best fielders defend.
If you are considering the DH in the NL then this 3rd option is just as valid.
Thoughts?