The Diamondbacks have interest in Tigers slugger J.D. Martinez, Jon Morosi of MLB Network tweets. Talks between the two sides do not yet appear serious, however.
The Diamondbacks currently have a corner outfield vacancy with Yasmany Tomas on the DL with a groin injury, and Martinez would clearly be an upgrade even if everyone were healthy. Upon returning, Tomas would likely lose playing time if the Diamondbacks were to acquire Martinez, since fellow corner outfielder David Peralta is in the midst of a strong season and could move from right to left.
After starting the season late due to a foot issue, the 29-year-old Martinez has gotten off to a .298/.379/.602 start that’s terrific even by his lofty standards. He would complement a Diamondbacks offense that has rated seventh in the Majors in runs thanks in large part to contributions from corner infielders Paul Goldschmidt and Jake Lamb. Martinez makes $11.75MM this season. He’s eligible for free agency next winter, so it seems likely the 39-49 Tigers will strongly consider moving him.
I’d have to assume Banda and another top 5 organizational prospect would go to the Tigers.
The Tigers might be looking at Pavin Smith, this year’s first round pick. He is obviously the #1 prospect in the very weak system. Plus the Tigers have more of a need with position players than pitching.
Don’t believe they can trade him until after the WS
It’s possible, but he’d have to be included as a PTBNL (needs to be decided within 6 months of actual trade)
They can PTBNL him. The Nats did it with Trea Turner and the Rockies did it with Drew Pomeranz.
He would be included as a PTBN ( Player to be named) and deal would be finalized after the season. Pretty common.
Not allowed anymore… Has to be eigible to be traded at the time of the trade, or something along those lines. It’s the new Trea Turner rule.
That’s what I thought…
Otherwise, it may make some sense
Thanks for the clarification. I, also, thought that was addressed this past offseason in light of the Turner deal.
the PTBNL move isn’t possible anymore
You are correct, I missed that addition to the Turner rule. I would bet that it could still be worked around though, IF the GMs trust one another to an extent. For example, they could set up a package of 3-4 prospects led by Smith for JD. Then they could substitute prospect X for Smith. Then they could trade prospect X for Smith the day after the season. It requires trust, but I couldn’t see a GM backing out of that type of deal because it would ruin his reputation and no one would deal with him again.
I’m a little confused. Then how did this work?
“Minor MLB Transactions: 7/3/17
July 3rd, 2017 at 10:07pm CST • By Steve Adams
Here are Monday’s minor moves from around the game…
Infielder Tony Renda has been dealt from the Reds to the Diamondbacks in exchange for a player to be named later or cash considerations”
Can still do ptbnl, he just can’t have been ineligible at the time of the original trade.
Not anymore that loophole has been closed with the new CBA.
Dont see how the Dbacks could get him. Their far system is weak and any team could match their offer
Frazier to Red Sox rumors gaining some steam.
Ockimey + Darwinzon Hernandez.
From where?
He means Todd Frazier from the White Sox
I think he meant from where did he get that rumor.
Exactly. Thanks.
Man the White Sox are stocking up! Would love to see a Cubs – White Sox World Series in the future.. and I’m a Cardinals fan!
That’d be pretty cool…and I’m a Tiger fan
With the Sandoval move I expect Boston to do something soon. Be it Frazier or someone else . Would like to see that but not holding oout for a big return.
If the Cardinals are going to buy they should really consider J.D.
The cards need to do something if the Cubs are serious about taking over Milwaukee
If they didn’t give up too much would definitely help this year, offense needs a spark
I just don’t really see much of a match. The Dbacks former GM decimated that farm pretty bad.
Tigers’ ought to be focusing on position prospects seeing as we have none in the upper minors outside of Christian Stewart(who may not even be able to play a position defensively). Dbacks don’t appear to have any.
Maybe something around Brito, Keller and another ? Martinez sure won’t come cheap.
Wow, that Minor League system is bad.
Which one? The Tigers or Diamondbacks? They both seem pretty bad.
Tigers isn’t as bad as arizona’s we had 3 top 100 prospects in baseball americas latest ranking
The only thing worse than the Tigers season is the potential trade market for their players. No team seems like they are gonna offer anything good or take over salary. In next few years we need a SS 2B RF and we needed a CF all season. Trade JD for diamondbacks top prospect in one of those positions before we don’t get anyone for him. Diamondbacks are solid they can make a run this year. Dodgers choke and Cubs are sucking. Avila needs to do something major in next few weeks.
The market for JD Martinez will heat up soon. He is 4th in all of MLB in OPS just behind guys like Trout and Stanton over the past couple of years. He is a top of the line POWER BAT. A contending team would be stupid not to give up some good “prospects” for JD Martinez., even as a rental. Someone will come calling with a good offer. The guy is a freak power hitter. Can anyone imagine him playing in a smaller park then Comerica? You’re talking 60 HR
JD will be traded. Likely for a decent haul. He is a premium middle of the order bat.
JWil will be traded. Quality, late inning relief is always in demand.
Avila will be traded. Who wouldn’t want a bat as hot as his either behind the plate, at 1b, or off the bench when needed.
Too much doom and gloom in your post.
They will trade JD. They will listen, and if the offer is good enough, trade Justin Wilson. Whether the GM will trade his own son, will be interesting. Signing back with his dad’s team may have had its own handshake agreement (I won’t uproot your family).
Dbacks just gauging the market. JD would fill a need, but I don’t see the Snakes as the eventual high bidder for him. If somehow the market is limited (not likely) for JD, maybe the Snakes get it done for Socrates Brito and filler. I don’t see it. Maybe the Snakes eventually pick up Melky Cabrera for a bag of balls?
Socrates Brito and a filler wouldn’t get it done lol
I don’t see a fit.
Not sure the Dbacks have the ammo for JD Martinez, But, If Tigers like certain guy/s it could happen. Dbacks could also look at Khris Davis
Jd is a good bat. if he go’s to the Diamond backs they get better. might cost them Banda/Chisholm and Duplantier
My guess is it’s more of a smokescreen to get the Dodgers to give up more, but if the interest is real they will have a hard time matching what other teams might be offering…especially if Dodgers are willing to part with Alex Verdugo. maybe Anthony Banda, Brad Keller, Jon Duplantier and a throw in (preferably an infielder) D-Backs don’t have the position players the tigers covet so they load up on pitchers and pursue position players for Justin Wilson, Alex Avila and others. It depends how badly the D-backs want him. They will have to give up a lot to beat out other others.
I think Jay Bruce would make a lot of sense too but would cost substantially less. Maybe send Bruce and lefty Jerry Blevins to the desert?
Jay Bruce makes absolutely zero sense. The Dbacks are in need of a lefty killing bat as they have be atrocious against LHP this year, indicated by their .225/.287/.387 team batting line.
Here is Jay Bruce’s current splits:
LHP – .222/.271/.400
RHP – .281/.357/.583
He would provide them no offensive upgrade against LHP whatsoever.
If the DBacks hold onto the 1st WC spot, and can win the play in, they would more than likely face the Dodgers who would be starting Kershaw (you may have head of him), Wood, and Hill over the first three of a five game series. All lefties.
FWIW, JD Martinez against LHP so far this season:
40 PA,- .500/.575/1.118/ good for a 1.693 OPS.
Everyone was posting 3 months ago about JD going to the Dodgers those rumors went away with Bellinger, Puig and Taylor doing good
Makes him less of a necessity, but JD is a better bat than Puig or Taylor if they want to upgrade.
It’d be more of a luxury than a need… but if it’s what LA thinks they need to push them over the top, could happen
J.D. would be a significant upgrade over Taylor.
Why not Tomas, Brito and maybe a minor league prospect? Martinez is a free agent at the end of the year, right?
IMO a package deal of J.D. Martinez, and Justin Wilson needs perfectly. Obviously the Diamondbacks have a need in the bullpen, and Wilson lines up perfectly. That would make them very good (as if they aren’t already). Basically, it’s easy to predict that the Diamondbacks beat the Rockies in the Wild Card, and lose to the Dodgers in the NLDS but still, things happen. But I think martinez and Wilson makes them go a long way.
Melky Cabrera a lot cheaper acquisition cost
Martinez is only a 3 month rental. Won’t bring the haul some people here think.