The Indians have claimed utilityman Michael Martinez off waivers from the Red Sox, per a team announcement. To clear a 40-man roster spot, the Indians designated lefty Tyler Olson for assignment.
Boston had actually added Martinez from Cleveland not long ago, and now sends him back. The 33-year-old switch-hitter has just 70 MLB plate appearances on the year, over which he carries a .273/.304/.364 batting line.
That doesn’t sound like much production, and it isn’t, but it actually stands quite a bit higher than Martinez’s career .515 OPS in 542 plate appearances. He has continued to draw interest from organizations, though, because of his defensive versatility. Martinez has lined up at every position except for first, pitcher, and catcher.
Olson, 26, was himself a recent waiver mover, with the Indians representing his third team on the year. He has reached the majors, but has received only minimal time there. Over his 95 1/3 career Triple-A innings, Olson has pitched to a 4.81 ERA with 7.7 K/9 against 3.0 B/9.
It may have been a small sample size (3 games) but I’ve watched Martinez in the OF and he his terrible. I’ve seen High School and College players with better defensive abilities. It baffles me that guys like this keep getting shuffled around MLB from team to team.
Weirdest part was the team already had Bryce brentz to play the OF as a backup and Holt can play every position on the field anyway. Then they sent an actual prospect and talent to AAA in Marco Hernandez to make room at the time for this no talent utility guy who might be able to stand at every position.. But that’s it.
Was a awful move at the time. Must be one of Francona’s Cleveland Pet’s for him to reclaim him. Don’t see any reason to want this guy.
Well, he was on the Sox because wherever Ruben Amaro Jr. winds up, Michael Martinez needs to follow him.
They sent Hernandez down because he’s an actual prospect and want getting enough at bats. The idea being the difference in production shouldn’t be much.
Unfortunately Martinez’s defensive blunders may have cost the Sox a game.
Defensive versatility in his case carries no value. He has played in 6 positions, but he’s not good at any of them. Hanley Ramirez played a better outfield than this guy. And I play a better outfield than Hanley Ramirez… 🙂
100% correct. He might as well not carry a glove at some positions. He runs well and he’s a good clubhouse cheerleader… that’s pretty much his complete resume.
Martinez isn’t even a decent Quad-A player. Is there such a thing as a Quad Low-A player?