Outfielder Leonys Martin has signed a one-year deal with Japan’s Chiba Lotte Marines, according to the Associated Press. Martin became a free agent June 29, a week after the Indians designated him for assignment.
Trekking to Asia continues a frenetic 12 months for the 31-year-old Martin. The Indians acquired Martin from Detroit at last July’s trade deadline, only to see his season end in mid-August because of a life-threatening bacterial infection. Martin overcame the illness to return to Cleveland on a $3MM salary, spending the first few months of 2019 as its primary center fielder. However, the Tribe cut the cord on Martin after an unproductive start. As part of an Indians outfield that has struggled in general this season, Martin hit a meager .199/.276/.343 (61 wRC+) with nine home runs, four steals in nine attempts and minus-0.5 fWAR across 264 plate appearances.
Although Martin’s 2019 with the Tribe went poorly, he was a 2.5-fWAR player just a year ago. It was the fourth year with at least 2.0 fWAR for the defensively adept Martin dating back to his first full season, 2013, with the Rangers. Martin has also stolen between 24 and 36 bases in four seasons, but he combined for just 11 steals during his truncated 2018-19 campaigns. He’ll take a lifetime .244/.301/.367 line (81 wRC+) with 58 homers and 126 steals in 2,792 MLB attempts overseas, though it wouldn’t be surprising to see Martin back in the majors eventually.
all the best for him. he’s always been a curious case, and his comeback makes his story even more incredible.
He would still be a Cleveland Indian if he wouldn’t have tried to hit the ball 500′ every time he stepped up to the plate, if he had reached base more often, if he hadn’t demonstrated some glaring defensive lapses that at times appeared to be the results of lackadaisical effort, and if he hadn’t given the impression that he wanted to fight Frankie Lindor when the All Star shortstop confronted him.
Hmm. This has added up to a significant number of ifs, hasn’t it?
Some things never change. He was the same in Texas.
I was anything but excited when CLE added him for the stretch drive last year for all these reasons. Martin’s not the only player with all the tools and talent that are wasted in favor of his resistance to adjust, but he’s just the latest glaring example. Kipnis would be in Japan ahead of Martin if it hadn’t been for that extension that mercifully expires after 2019.
Actually, he would have been a former Cleveland Indian much sooner had he not been deathly sick last year and they felt the need to keep him on board as he failed miserably.
Weird. He seemed like a great team player & hustler for the Tigers. I hope the best for him, really enjoyed watching him play in Detroit!
Best wishes
I’ll never understand how some guys always get MLB jobs and then a guy that’s been above replacement level has to go to Japan.
It’s not always a case of a guy “having to” go to Japan. Sometimes it’s because they can get paid a lot more to play overseas.
Surprised he didn’t go to Os, they need a centerfielder and any offense is better than Keon Broxton. Broxton strikes out literally every other at bat.
So does Martin. These guys are slightly different versions of the same player.
How does his work with his contract? Do the Indians get a “salary break” between he difference in his Japanese contact? Or different league mean Tribe is SOL? Not sure where they are in luxury tax status is why I’m curious.
The Indians in “luxury tax status?”
LOLOLOLOLOL!
Think that’s the first time ever Cleveland and the word “luxury” have appeared in the same paragraph.