The Chicago Cubs lefty masher has been gotten! Jose Martinez, come on down!!!
Jeff Passan with the news:
Designated hitter Jose Martinez has actually been traded to the Chicago Cubs, sources inform ESPN. 2 PTBNLs headed back to Tampa Bay. The Cubs get a lefty masher and the Rays now may get to offer more ABs to Randy Arozarena, whom they acquired with Martinez in a trade this offseason.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) August 30, 2020
You understand Martinez well as the late-blooming Cardinals bat, who tracked off a bit offensively in recent years and is now 32:
(through FanGraphs)For his career, Martinez has actually ruined lefties to the tune of a. 319/.392/.554 line with a 153 wRC+. The last 2 years, those numbers are down to.295/.362/.543 (139 ), however thats still quite strong. And its not as if hes unplayable versus righties.
Well dig in more on Martinez soon.
Once again, this year, every non-60-man gamer has to be a PTBNL. It may be a minute before we truly understand what the Cubs give up.
Designated hitter Jose Martinez has been traded to the Chicago Cubs, sources tell ESPN. The Cubs get a lefty masher and the Rays now may get to offer more ABs to Randy Arozarena, whom they got with Martinez in a trade this offseason.
(by means of FanGraphs)For his career, Martinez has actually damaged lefties to the tune of a. 319/.392/.554 line with a 153 wRC+. Well, it depends a bit on whether you value the additional years of team control that Martinez comes with (hes manageable through arbitration for 2 more seasons). His set up wage this year was $2.125 million, so if he was tendered a contract in arbitration after this year, youre probably talking about, what, $3+ million for 2021?
Where he is unplayable, naturally, remains in the field. He can possibly cover an area for a minute and not definitely kill you, however hes mainly simply a bat. With the Cubs, he d slot in as the DH versus lefties, and may sometimes get a corner outfield start.
Martinez is owed about $350,000 the rest of the method, so hes not a HUGE expense addition, but in a year like this, thats a quite considerable boost to the payroll– I wonder if the Rays are beginning some money. To that end, the quality of the PTBNLs the Cubs are sending out will probably depend a bit on the cash.
Bear in mind: this year, just players on the 60-man can be traded at the minute, so the inclusion of PTBNLs here does not always imply the Cubs arent quiting some worth. It simply implies they are two prospects not on the 60-man.
How excellent of prospects? Well, it depends a bit on whether you value the additional years of group control that Martinez includes (hes controllable through arbitration for two more seasons). His set up income this year was $2.125 million, so if he hurt an agreement in arbitration after this year, youre probably discussing, what, $3+ million for 2021? As a bat-only guy whose offense may remain in decrease, Im not so sure thats worth a tender at that cost point. In which case, obtaining a man with “extra years of team control” does not actually hold any additional value, and that would be reflected in the quality of the prospects.
On the balance, though, its at least good to have the option to tender Martinez if you think he might still rake for another year, and if the NL has the DH permanently in 2021.
Tentatively, I d anticipate the prospects to be guys you understand– maybe even people you like– however not always types that youre outraged to lose for a guy who could be an effect bat against lefties down the stretch.
