We’ll keep track of some recent minor moves here…
- The Indians have agreed to a new minor league contract with utility player Michael Martinez, Robert Murray of FanRag Sports tweets. Martinez, now 35, has played at or below replacement level for every single season of his seven-year major league career, combining for a total of 2.4 wins below replacement level. Originally a rule 5 draft pick of the Phillies, he is perhaps most famous for being the final out for the Indians in the 2016 World Series. Martinez has accumulated 621 plate appearances for his career and has put up a .194/.243/.261 slash line.
- The Royals have re-signed Terrance Gore to a minor league contract after non-tendering the outfielder yesterday, according to a tweet from Rustin Dodd of the Kansas City Star. The 26-year-old’s speed is biggest asset; he’s accrued more stolen bases (21) than plate appearances (14) over the course of his major league career. He was utilized exclusively as a pinch-runner during the Royals’ 2014 and 2015 playoff runs, swiping four key bags in the postseason during those years without ever picking up a bat. Gore has yet to pick up his first major league hit, but he’s still managed 0.2 WAR for his career due to his baserunning skills.
- Robert Murray of FanRag Sports reports that the Rockies have signed right-hander Chris Jensen to a minor-league pact (Twitter link). Jensen, 27, was originally Colorado’s sixth-round pick in the 2011 draft. He spent three seasons in the lower minors with the Rockies before being shipped to the A’s along with Drew Pomeranz in exchange for Brett Anderson. Jensen made seven starts and 23 relief appearances for the A’s Triple-A affiliate in 2017, and accrued an equal number of strikeouts and earned runs (56) across 84 2/3 innings pitched.
I try not deride no-risk minor-league signings like this, but what is it with the Indians FO, Francona, and Martinez that keeps landing him back in CLE?
Versatility and reliability.
Reliability? Unless you mean that you can rely on him to be terrible then I’m not sure what you mean
The minor leagues are full of younger and better defensive players that can play multiple infield positions, what they are not? francona’s bench buddies, which most know he LOVES to surround himself with.. Someone to echo every thought.
Martinez is beyond poor for a MLB player, but will keep showing up in Cleveland as long as francona is around.
I completely agree; I’m always getting upset at people for complaining about minor league deals, but Michael Martinez is just so bad that I make an exception for him
As a Phillies fan I can tell you Michael Martinez is like a nagging cough. Once you get it, you’re not shaking it