Outfielder Leonys Martin, designated for assignment by the Indians last Saturday, has cleared waivers and elected free agency, per the club.
Martin, 31, sandwiched an excellent 2018 season (2.5 fWAR in just 83 games) between two very poor ones. In 264 plate appearances for the Tribe this season, the nine-year vet’s slashed just .199/.276/.343 on the way to below-replacement-level output. Strikeouts have a particular issue for the one-time defensive wiz – Martin’s been set down in nearly 30% of his PAs this season, easily a career worst and up nearly 8% from his injury-shortened campaign a season ago.
The good/bad alternation has been something of a career pattern for Martin, who boasts a career 81 wRC+ despite four seasons of 87 or better in the category. The Cuban’s been much more stable on the defensive side of the ball, though his league-pacing marks from his days in Texas have long since dissolved.
It’s likely, given his tendency to flash star-level play on occasion, that Martin will hook on with another club in the near future, perhaps one with an immediate defensive need at all three outfield spots. Even in down years, the lefty’s always been a capable threat when armed with the platoon advantage, so he’d figure to still fit well as a fifth-outfielder type on a contending team.
Cashman will be calling.
More like, calling on your mom again.
Not until she has all of her shots!!
…and he’ll come in, slash 300/400/500 and steal 20 bases….oh ya, and win a Gold Glove…..Cashman’s spent the year stepping in poop and coming up roses…..
Fertilizer!
Like Urshela
Think the Tribe should trade for Chacin and Thames they could definitely help out for them
Why? Chacin adds nothing to the Indians and Thames is a first basemen where they are covered by an all star. Why would Cleveland want Milwaukee’s leftovers?
Because I want to see the Brewers to move on from them lol
Mom? When I grow up, can I be a Stubby Troll?
You’re a moron…
You’re a moron!!
To San Fran Sisco……
Nope. Doesn’t fit what they are looking for.
He’s too good to be an outfielder for the Sacramento River Cats
…Hmm…He can’t maintain a spot on a 40 man roster, and you think he is to good for AAA…Hmmm…
To be a San Francisco Giants outfielder, you must:
A; Have been designated for assignment previously.
B; Have some sort of injury history.
C; Either sign to a minor league contract or hit below
.200 during the season of their joining the Giants.
finally, D; Have hit less than 15 home runs in the last season.
Leonys Martin fits these categories so he should be ready for the phone to ring from San Francisco.
I would be happy to see him back in Detroit.
Why? It two late in the season to be trade bait. He’s a older player so he doesn’t look to be part of the future. I liked him as a tiger but there is really no reason to sign him at this stage.
Phillies could desperately use him
The Indians usually do really well on trades.. this one could really hurt though for a long time. Martin was bad, no big deal there.. but Willi Castro is putting up some impressive numbers in Toledo (and he is only 22). Tough to give up a guy like that within the division.
I also hear that the Indians might need a shortstop in the next couple of years..
He was good in his few games last year and then got very ill. He would’ve undoubtedly been released much earlier this year if not for the sentiment from his comeback. They most definitely lost this deal as they gave up a useful prospect, but I have to wonder what could have been had Martin not gotten so ill.
If Mercado hadn’t produced, Martin would still be the CF
Thank goodness for the spirited way Mercado plays the game.
Yeah, trading Castro ticked me off, like a desperation move that wasn’t necessary. But as far as needing a SS in a couple years, Tyler Freeman was already promoted from Lake County to High-A Lynchburg and should be ready by then.
True, he’s the #3 ranked Tribe prospect and is expected to be in Cleveland when Linder skips town.
Theo would take a flyer on him. He’s the type Theo likes. Pitch hit against eighties. Even if he blows he cost nothing and can be realised.id give him a shot. Hes in the majors and not the minors for a reason.
When Martin’s poor play in Texas made Lindor mad, it was over for Martin.
Definitely. And rightfully so.
This leads me to believe that scouts around MLB took note of it, and Martin could get labeled as a slacker and potentially disrupt team unity.
If I’m not mistaken, this is the 3rd time that Martin has been DFA’d.