The Cubs have optioned recently acquired first baseman/outfielder/designated hitter Jose Martinez, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune was among those to report. The move cleared 28-man roster space for just-claimed outfielder Billy Hamilton.
It’s a bit of a surprise to see Martinez headed to the Cubs’ alternate training site so soon, as they landed him from the Rays in advance of the Aug. 31 trade deadline. But Martinez has gone without a hit in 15 plate appearances since then, continuing a season-long run of subpar production for a player who was largely a valuable part of the Cardinals’ offense from 2016-19. Martinez recorded a .298/.363/.458 line in 1,288 plate appearances with St. Louis, but he has mustered a far weaker .198/.286/.321 mark in 96 PA this year between Tampa and Chicago.
Martinez has lined up as a DH since the Cubs traded for him, but with other credible options there (including Victor Caratini, Kyle Schwarber, Kris Bryant and Willson Contreras), they no longer felt the need to spend a roster spot on someone who has slumped throughout 2020. Hamilton won’t exactly give the team an offensive juggernaut, either, but the speedster is at least a high-grade defender and base runner.
Unless the universal DH stays for good, can’t see where this guy can fit in the Cubs’ lineup
Unless the DH stays for good in the NL, I can’t see where Martinez lines up anywhere, much less the Cubs
It’s a lock, like the runner at second to start the eighth inning in a twinbill.
Even with the new runner on second rule, Billy Hamilton is a waste of roster space. When will teams realize this? Cincinnati, Kansas City, Atlanta, and the Mets have already seen what he CAN’T do. Bet he doesn’t last with the Cubs for very long.
Apparently there is some rule where no one is allowed to be aware of how much he sucks until he’s proven it on their team. Until then he’s “got the speed to really make a difference for a playoff team.” Or some such convoluted nonsense.
Maybin. Will take his place.
Let’s hope the DH rule stays so much fun not seeing Pitchers try to bat
Hamilton isn’t much of a ballplayer, but his speed makes him an excellent option when it comes to making a coffee run.
Hell be gone when Hayward comes back
He’ll be gone when Heyward comes back??? Heyward hasn’t gone anywhere–BOTH are on the roster now. Heyward has been sick the last two games and hasn’t played. It’s not like he’s on the IL and going to be back until the end of the month at this point.
Cards should take him back and see if he finds his swing. His current production is about as good as the outfield is right now (besides Bader), and he’s always been a little streaky. I wouldn’t put the nail in his coffin based on 35-40 games.
A terrible defender like Martinez should only rarely (if ever) see the field, and the Cardinals already have their second best hitter (Miller) taking up most of the playing time at DH. Guys like O’Neill and Thomas may not be hitting any better than Martinez right now, but they’re at least pretty good defenders.
You take Matt Carpenter out of the DH spot and put Miller at third and then if Martinez finds his swing again, that’s a massive upgrade despite the ok defense at third. No reason to touch anything with the outfield
Who should be feeling worse about themselves: Dilson Herrera for being DFA’d so that Chris Davis gets activated, or Jose Martinez for being sent down to be replaced by Billy Hamilton?
Haha great question! I’d say Jose feels worse because at least Dilson might find himself getting picked up by another team off waivers
Martinez between the two. Chris Davis wouldn’t have a spot if it weren’t for his contract it’s not like anyone is losing a spot to Davis because they don’t deserve it more
Universal DH is likely here to stay for good, There was a really strong chance being added in the new CBA anyhow, but now they will just make it permanent.
it isnt going into effect until the new CBA is in 2021 at the earliest
He’ll be back for the Cubs playoffs. Maybin fills in for Heyward. Hamilton fills in as the good defensive/speed outfielder.
Flip back Martinez for the playoffs, with Hamilton ineligible for post season, he gets the DFA after Heyward returns.
Eric—-deadline for postseason eligibility is Sept 15 this season.
I don’t know what the Rays we’re thinking when they gave up Liberatore for this guy. Talk about a huge over pay.
They did it for Arozarena who has done amazing so far.
Red Eye
As good as Arozarena has been this year (17AB) which is not enough to determine his value. Giving up Liberatore was an overpay. Future SP always hold more value and are more useful for better trade candidates.
So…17ab’s is too soon to decide Aroz’s value, but with ZERO innings pitched you have decide Liberatore’s value as being significantly higher?? That comment makes no sense.
hmmmm let me see Arozarena’s best tools are his his speed and arm at 55. His hitting and fielding are 50. His power is at 40. For an overall rating of 45. The highest he was ever rated at with the Cardinals was number 6 and that was in 2018.
Now let’s take a look at Liberatore
Liberatore is rated as the 3rd best prospect in the Cardinals farm system.
His tools go something like this
Fastball
60
Curveball
60
Slider
50
Changeup
55
Control
55
Overall
55
In terms of talent and their future, I’m placing my bets on Liberatore having the better career.
Well…when you’re the Rays who have 25 guys like Libby it’s their luxury to trade one of them for an up and coming outfielder.
Bob Lablah
That’s a good luxury to have, but a rough trade if I was a Rays fan.
Injuries can always happen with pitching prospects.
The Rays were not expecting Martinez to slump this season + they did swap competition balances draft picks.
Also J. Fleming has come out of nowhere to pitch good this season for the Rays
Don’t forget they also got the 37th pick in the draft which was SS Alika Williams. This trade has years to go. However, I think if the Rays knew they’d have all the TJ’s this season, they’d think twice about it now. I’m more upset about giving up Pham and Cronenworth!
fljay73
Their track record of producing pitchers is amazing so Liberatore being the second best prospect the Rays had, I would assume keeping him would be a priority.
Bob
Yes, but they also gave up a 2rd supplement pick so they even out. The Cronenworth trade is looking pretty rough for the Rays.
A big time gamble that I’d say for this season has backfired. They’ve traded alot of pitchers over the years to get high caliber position players. Mcgee & Marquez for Padlo and Dickerson (btw loss for Rays). Pagan for Margot, Genesis Cabrera for Pham, Hellickson for Williams and Velazquez, Shields and Wade Davis for basically Wil Myers, and the Archer trade everyone knows about. Bc the Rays suck at developing position players they’ve had to walk a scary line of trading high priced/ high end arms to level out the roster/farm. Everyone thinks the Rays have killed it in trades but I can give so many examples of not and this latest Libby one could be another add for the not list. Time will tell.
Bob Lablah
Rays have made som suspect trades over the years, but you can’t deny the pitching talent. I am still thankful they passed on Posey. Overall, they are in a good place to compete for a long time.
Aside from Arozerena, the idea was that Martinez could hit and could play DH at least part of the time to get his terrible glove off the field. If he had hit as well as he normally does, it’s not much (if any) of an overpay after all.
But, you know, hindsight is 2020 is this very weird season.
I don’t like this move at all. Jose Martinez is not a great defender. He is definitely more of a dh, but he is really good with the bat & has excellent power which seems a lot more important then Hamilton’s speed and defense.
Really good with the bat and excellent power? He hit .239 with the Rays and then .000 for the Cubs, 2 HR total for 2020. I’m not seeing the really good with the bat or excellent power….
No surprise, Cardinals seem to make good hitters out of paper mache, as soon as they leave, they become pumpkins on other teams.
Prime example is Daniel Descalso.
Allen Craig says hello.
*Ryan Ludwick enters the chat*
I wish Jose the best wherever he ends up. Great guy that always seems to be having a good time…maybe not so much right now. Prove all the doubters wrong again Mr. Martinez!
What do you mean wherever he ends up? He’s not eligible to become a free agent until 2023. It’s not like he has a choice at this time….he’s Cub property. Right now he’s basically in the Cubs minor league system.
So a guy who can run and field but not hit over a guy who can hit but not field but is in a big offensive slump anyway. Makes sense. At least speed never goes into a slump without some kind of injury.