2:40pm: The Mets have announced the signing. A corresponding 40-man roster move wasn’t necessary, as the Mets already had multiple open spaces.
1:46pm: The Mets have agreed to a one-year, split contract with free agent outfielder/first baseman Jose Martinez, reports USA Today’s Bob Nightengale (Twitter link). If he makes the Major League roster, he’ll receive a $1MM salary with up to $500K available in additional incentives. In the minors, he’ll earn at a $225K clip, per MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand (Twitter link). Martinez is represented by Octagon.
The 2020 season was a forgettable one for Martinez, who posted an awful .182/.265/.295 slash in 98 plate appearances between the Rays and the Cubs. That line included a particularly woeful stretch following a trade from Tampa to Chicago that saw him go hitless in 22 plate appearances as a Cub.
Prior to the 2020 season, however, Martinez was a highly productive part-time player with the Cardinals. From 2017-19, Martinez batted a combined .296/.361/.458 with 41 homers, 56 doubles and three triples in 1270 trips to the plate. His right-handed bat was a menace to left-handed pitching, in particular; Martinez owned southpaws with a .323/.401/.570 slash in that time.
Martinez still has a pair of minor league options remaining, so he doesn’t necessarily need to make the Opening Day roster out of Spring Training. He finished up the 2020 season with just over four years of service time, so he’s controllable through the 2022 season at present, although if he spends even three or four weeks in the minors, his path to free agency would be pushed back a year.
Of course, Martinez first needs to make the big league roster and reestablish himself as a credible big league hitter before that’s even a consideration. A rebound with the bat is of particular importance for the 28-year-old, as he doesn’t bring any real defensive value to the table. Martinez has ample experience in both outfield corners and at first base, but he rates as a well below-average defender at all three positions.
Fine AAA depth
I really thought the cardinals would entertain a reunion with Martinez. He fit really well here and would be a great DH if the NL adopts it.
Yet, if the NL doesn’t use the DH this year, Martinez doesn’t have a lot of value. I’m surprised he signed with an NL team this early.
nice depth
Remarkable observation, I’m so glad you took the time to post that.
You clearly have an obsession toward DarkSide. Maybe you should get some professional help.
I’m not the one that posts lukewarm chicken scratch comments on every single post every single day. If he posts the dreck I get to reply!
This is the only way he can get any sort of interaction with other human beings. It’s quite disheartening.
why is everyone so angry all the time
No one is saying that you don’t ‘get’ to reply. They’re saying you’re obsessed and should maybe–of your own volition–think about stopping.
Why are you hating on this guy? He didnt do anything to you and his comment was actually relevant, not controversial at all and in my opinion pretty valid to the conversation. Darkside… my apologies for the seemingly hostile and hate-filled responses you’re getting… keep posting my man no reason to let bullies dishearten you from commenting on stuff you’ve obviously got an interest in! Some of us that don’t go out of our ways to hurt people’s feelings enjoy your comments just fine.
Mind your own business mom!
Good depth signing.
Traditional stats are good but his advance stats are scary bad.
Not much power even in traditional stats
I wouldn’t be to sure he starts in AAA. Could be a DH and pinch hitters against lefty pitchers.
Yes just what the Mutts needed! A tenth DH, brilliant! They can start 7 DH’s and a backup catcher every night! Genius!
Possibly. Him and Davis on the same roster is a little redundant though, assuming they bring in a 3B.
Yeah, AAA might be too advanced for him. Probably a good idea to have him in AA to start the season.
hm. Good depth.
Depth.
Does a split contract mean he’s not on the 40-man?
I think it means he would get paid differently depending on if he is on the bigs or the minors. I’m not sure.
You’re correct.
Thanks Manfred
He’s on the 40.
That was my specific question, too @wexler. My next question is: does a player with a split contract have to be on the 40 man?
Anyone know?
Doesn’t read that way to me. Looks like player is guaranteed 50% of his major league contract if he’s sent down. Could have read it wrong though.
I’m just wondering if a team could sign a few of those type of contracts & not clog up the 40 man.
Teams could build some really elite Minor league depth that way.
I would imagine, as the Mets had to use up one of their 40-man spots to accommodate for the addition of Martinez. Don’t quote me on this though
“mixed contracts have to be added to the 40 man!” ~ wagner13
Backup Catcher
Pass whatever you have been smoking? He’s never caught an inning in his entire career
It’s a joke
Oh. Got any good ones?
Depth is good. Could catch lightening in a bottle with this signing.
As a Cardinals fan…if used right, he’s a fun guy to have on the bench. Good PH/DH type. Great teammate. Just dont ever put him in the field at all lol
A royals announcer after seeing him play in the outfield asked his fellow broadcaster if this was the first time Martinez had played in the outfield. The second guy said no. The first announcer responded with, ‘it should be his last time.’
He’s a bit of an odd fit for the current Mets roster from a defensive perspective, but maybe they see him as more of a PH option. They might have the roster flexibility to carry a guy like that, depending on what happens with CF and 3B.
DH is likely to happen. Alonso 1B Martinez DH for LHP. Smith 1B Alonso DH for RHP
If the DH happens, I think they’d have to maximize Davis’s ABs there.
*Assuming he isn’t traded
Well right now we don’t really have a 3B so Davis is forced to play 3B. He’ll get his at bats. If we get a 3B. Davis would go to Martinez role that I mention and Martinez would go to AAA.
You have no idea that is what would happen, you are just making things up and declaring it as if you know.
I mean that’s kind of the entire point of this website and especially the comments section. I mean the site is literally called MLB Trade RUMORS… by definition rumors aren’t necessarily facts… they’re what people expect or infer based on the data/info they do have.
The DH in the NL is just as likely not to happen for 2021 at this point. This is a risky signing. I was expecting him to wait until he fully exhausted his AL options (or we possibly got official word that the NL would use the DH) before possibly signing with an NL team.
I really appreciate your comment that had actual thought involved and didn’t mention the word depth.
How about deep do-do? Well, that’s what he was with the Cubs. But maybe he was a little unlucky with that .000 BABIP. I’m sure all the ones that should have fallen in would have been triples.
A pinch hitter that can rake against LHs and can’t play in the field seems to be pretty specialized sabermetrics.
If the DH happens, they are half prepared.
Jose Martinez has a (-4.8) career dWAR. He did bat .305 in 534 AB for the Cards in 2018. He added 17 HR, 83 RBI, and an .821 OPS. More than anyone in the continental United States, Martinez has to pray for the universal DH in 2021. And while he’s at it, say 5 Our Fathers and 5 Hail Marys.
Ok cool. Now go ahead and send Brandon Nimmo on down to the Angels now that there’s depth on the Mets lol. We could use him as the starter in Right field while Adell/Marsh get ready in the minors and Upton’s contract expires in 2 years.
Who are you planning to give us???
Based on your comments, you are about 12 or 13? Am I close?
Yeah!! Let’s all attack and pile on to a kid we think is 12/13… that’ll show him who’s a REAL MAN!! … but seriously… what’s going on with all the hostility with people today in this comment thread? So what if the kid is 12/13? Does he really need to be “called out” for it. If it is a kid and he/she is that into baseball that they’re posting relevant and topical comments on a trade rumors site… good for them. The sport needs all the young fans it can get!
Who is attacking anyone? I simply asked a question based on all the comments I see from them. They are free to post whatever they want. I just wanted to put their exuberance in context. There is no need for you to try to prove you are the “real man” as you phrase it.
Considering the Mets are clearly unwilling to let him play center field thus relegating him to the bench probably not much. I mean the Mets are seriously considering signing Albert Almora and starting him in Center field, Conforto in right, and Dom Smith in Left. Complicating matters even more is the fact that Smith & Conforto are lefties making it hard to platoon either with Conforto. Exactly where does he fit in? He’s a 4 million dollar bench player on the Mets. I’d probably offer something like Taylor Ward, he can play multiple positions Infield/outfield, platoon against lefties, and is pre- arbitration making around 575k, plus I’d throw in a minor league reliever.
**Nimmo not Conforto.
Brandon Nimmo will be the Mets starting LF if they sign Springer. Almora was just non-tendered after being demoted in 2020. He’s a 5th OF-type addition. Sandy Alderson flat out said “Dominic Smith is not an OF and ideally he won’t see time out there but if there is no DH we will”. 4 million dollar bench player lol.. he was just ranked the #5 CF in baseball by MLB.com. He’s a poor CF but he’s a top 15 OF in baseball by both fWAR and wRC+. The Mets would get a BOUNTY for 2 years of Nimmo but he’s not available
Hopefully Nimmo IS available. Mets have to sign Springer, then trade Nimmo, Matz, Gsellman, even for minor league depth.
Well, Jose makes Pete look like Keith Hernandez in the field. That’s one thing.
Barker….. that gave me a deep down belly laugh. Thank you for pointing out the silver lining in all of this.
Pete is far from as bad as he is made out to be. He would, though, be the everyday DH if it’s approved. I’ll repeat that the Mets should NOT trade prospects 3B Brett Baty, C Francisco Alvarez, RHP Matthew Allan, SS Ronny Mauricio.
Good low-risk, potentially high reward depth signing.
Great under the radar bullpen catching depth.
Good thing there aren’t many bullpens down the lines anymore.
He always hit well against the Mets. Has no position so let’s bet on DH in the NL or at least he is useful in road AL games.
This same strategy is how dodgers find hidden gems such as Justin turner and Max muncy
Cohen thought he was signing Pedro.
28?
His teammate Poncedeleon gave him directions to the Fountain of Youth before he got traded to Florida. He just took a few sips, though.
Betting on the NL DH -and- like 5 guys all get hurt at once?
Well okay then, do you, my guy.
Do you Marty, go ahead and eat an extra whopper big boy!
Just a minor thing-Jose Martinez isn’t 28, he’ll be 33 in July
Wow I knew he wasn’t young but until I read your comment here I didn’t realize how “not young” he actually was lol. I guess given that he’s 32… his drop in numbers in 2020 could actually be him on the decline rather than just a rough season. Though to be fair most players don’t really start to decline from age at just 30/31. However in my head for whatever reason I was thinking he was more like 28/29 and thus had time to “get back on track” … I mean sure that’s still all technically true… but I guess this could be more of like a “last chance” than a “first of several” chances to right the ship and get himself back on track. Regardless of his age… I do still wish him the best and hope he can reestablish himself as the, seemingly, very solid hitter (.300+ BA and 15-20+ HR threat) he looked like just a couple seasons ago!
Smart move, one the Mets wouldn’t have considered before Cohen. Paying for depth with upside.
The Wilpons 100% would’ve made this move. But, they would’ve counted on Martinez to get 400 PAs.
Somehow, this just feels like a set-up move for a trade coming. Like sending Dom Smith to get Joe Musgraves. Or a package with an outfielder ( Nimmo) to Milwaukee to bring back Josh Hader. I could be way off-base and it is “just a depth” “ lightning in a bottle” move, but hey, this is MLB Trade Rumors….
In no universe anywhere does Brandon Nimmo bring back Josh Hader.
Now Smith for Musgrove could work as I’m sure the Pirates are not completely commited to Colin Moran at 1B, in fact you could probably send Moran to the Mets in the deal as well.
“are not completely committed”… Colin Moran 1.1 fWAR (CAREER), .5 fWAR over 1.3 season this year, 100 wRC+ career. He’s only at 1b because he’s unplayable at 3b. He’s beyond mediocre.
So then i am correct and they are not committed to him at the position
Fair. I can’t disagree with your response haha
I think he said “package” with Nimmo in it, as if to clear some space for Martinez.
I am sure he didn’t mean Nimmo alone., not Nimmo alone. His Smith for Musgraves suggestion though, does sound reasonable.
Somehow he’s a worse outfielder than Nelson Cruz circa 2011 World Series game 6.
Unfortunately for Mets fans Alderson is already on record saying he is “not comfortable” with Dominic Smith in LF so unless MLB and the players union agree on a universal DH the odds are currently better that Jose Martinez will be in the Mets opening day lineup instead of George Springer.
Jose Martinez will not be in the Mets lineup opening day barring injury to Nimmo/Smith/Conforto. Sandy told Jon Heyman just yesterday that Dom isn’t an OF but without a DH he will see time out there.
Sort of my point is that Springer won’t be either. Therefore Martinez (who’s already signed) has a better chance
Expect the Cubs to retire #53 and will be fly on the the flag poll with the other all time Greats like Ernie Banks, Billy Williams, Ron Santo, Jenkins and other.
True Cubs legend!
0-21 with a walk but it was a glorious walk. The cubs actually traded a decent prospect with upside for him.
That walk that loaded the bases with 1 out against the Pirates that lead to a Kipnis strikeout and followed by Maybin flyout to end the inning against the Pirates is how legends are made.
1b/lf and right handed.
Well, it’s a quality depth signing. If Alonso or Dom Smith need to go on the IL, Martinez moves up. Or if JD Davis gets dealt, that’s another possibility. Not to play 3b mind you, just his bat and lf/rf/1b coverage.
Anderson did say he wanted to restock the higher minor league levels with experience. This fits that agenda.
Yes, and it was stated that Martinez has options left. I guess that allows Sandy to stash some older experienced players down there in Syracuse. And maybe it gives Martinez some time to find his bat again if Spring Training isn’t enough.
The guy could hit extremely well when he was with the Cardinals. Kinda fell off when he went to Tampa and Chicago. Not a bad signing though.
I hope Martinez can reestablish himself as a top notch offensive player. Just a couple years ago he looked like he was establishing himself as a perennial .300+ batter with 20 HR pop and possibly even potential to improve on his power numbers if given the opportunity for more consistent/regular ABs. It’d be nice to see him rediscover that potential and get himself back on track with the Mets next season. Personally I always thought he was a guy who could’ve put up better numbers if he’d gotten more ABs (in STL) but then saw everything collapse last year in TB (and then even more dramatically in CHC)… best of luck to him to hopefully right the ship and get his career back on track in NY.
Another nice signing by the Amazins , depth , depth , depth. After trading for Lindor , NYM need to focus on filling out the minors and what not.
Better than signing Almora who would cost more $$$.
Almora who?
Feels depthy
Awesome. One of the premier bats of the league.
I think he’s a much better player than he showed in 2020… good move by the Mets, which just drives me mad … I want them terrible always
I mean the goal is to make the 25 man but $225K on the 40 man in AAA is pretty solid money. If only they had the affiliate in Las Vegas and not Syracuse like the good old days. lol
Jeff Z loves to type
This feels like a depthy signing. I think one or two others may have said that already.
28? He’s 32