Fernando Martinez Put on Waivers by Mets

by clack on Jan 9, 2012 5:27 PM CST

This report says that the Mets placed former No. 1 prospect Fernando Martinez on waivers. Martinez is 23 years old and can play RF and CF. Only three or four years ago, he was a top 10 prospect (at age 19 or 20) in all of baseball. He was the Mets' No.1 prospect for most of his time in the Mets' organization. He continued to be among the Mets' top 5 prospects last year. Fernando Martinez's stock has fallen like a rock because he has yet to meet the sky high expectations placed upon him. Yes, he could be a bust, but he is only 23 years old and he still has the raw ability to hit for power, throw out baserunners, and run with dominating speed.

Just for fun: some YouTube video of F-Mart.....HR in VWL; HR against Sam LeCure in AAA; Opposite field HR in AAA; walk off grand slam in AAA; 2010 spring training HR.

I strongly recommend that the Astros claim him off waivers. I don't know who would be removed from the 40 man roster, but surely we can find someone who isn't worth blocking this project. It's high risk/reward. acquisition. He may turn out to be a bust. But, it's always possible that a change of scenery could put him back on course to be the next Cesar Cedeno. (Ironically, the Astros wanted to trade Lidge for F-Mart instead of Bourn, but the Mets wouldn't budge.) That's my recommendation for the day.

Edit addition: After reading another article, apparently F-Mart had some knee injuries which may have hurt his speed. So that may be a downside. But I still think he is worth looking at in spring training.

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It's a good idea.

I second your recommendation.

by Hal J on Jan 9, 2012 8:32 PM CST reply actions

i would love to see him in spring training

He needs a change of scenery for sure.

by lawson3 on Jan 9, 2012 8:55 PM CST via mobile reply actions

considering the absolute garbage that is on the AAA roster at this point

there is zero reason not to take a stab at F-mart.

by kyuss94 on Jan 9, 2012 9:59 PM CST reply actions

Am I correct

in thinking the Astros would have first shot at claiming him due to their 2011 record?

by Hal J on Jan 9, 2012 10:41 PM CST reply actions

Yes

Check out The Dream Shake.

by Patrick Harrel on Jan 9, 2012 11:52 PM CST up reply actions

I would love to see the Astros claim him from the Mets as well. I also read somewhere that he may have 1been option remaining, so while he would require a 40-mancorresponding roster spot, he would not have to stay with the team all year.

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2012/01/nl-east-links-lannan-fielder-martinez-mets.html

He would have more upside than some of our other 4/5th outfield guys.

by conroestro on Jan 10, 2012 7:50 AM CST via mobile reply actions

Typo above

1 option remaining.

by conroestro on Jan 10, 2012 8:51 AM CST via mobile up reply actions

Take him

by CRPerry13 on Jan 10, 2012 8:38 AM CST reply actions

Tis the season to designate outfielders: Kyle Hudson

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2012/01/orioles-designate-kyle-hudson-for-assignment.html

He’s also a guy with some promise, but would likely get claimed by an AL team.

by conroestro on Jan 10, 2012 8:56 AM CST via mobile reply actions

This is the time of year when teams try to sneak players through waivers. Most teams are at their 40 man limit, because of the Rule 5 draft…so teams hope that teams will have difficulty finding space for a waiver claim. One of the considerations in taking a player off the 40 man is whether you think that they will choose to stay with the team if they clear waivers (as opposed to opting for free agency).

I probably would choose Tatum or one of the relief pitchers as the player to take off the roster in order to claim F-Mart. But it’s not an entirely easy decision.

by clack on Jan 10, 2012 9:09 AM CST up reply actions

I would remove CJ or Sanchez for him

http://www.crawfishboxes.com

by OremLK on Jan 10, 2012 9:16 AM CST up reply actions

We have plenty of relief options, and some of those guys are similar, so removing one of those could be easier to absorb.

It definitely wouldn’t hurt my feelings any if Sanchez was removed.

As far as Tatum goes, I like him as the backupneeds to the backup backstop. He seems like a defensive oriented catcher which is good to have as a backup. Also since Castro’s timetable and subsequent playing time being somewhat questionable then I think keeping Tatum would be good. That is unless the plan is to acquire another catcher in some way shape or form. Otherwise I would rather have Tatum than Corporan.

by conroestro on Jan 10, 2012 11:02 AM CST via mobile up reply actions

Count me in for Angel Sanchez’s Astros tenure to be over.

by Snake Diggity on Jan 10, 2012 11:19 AM CST up reply actions 2 recs

He would be great to stash in AAA

I wouldn’t even mind starting him in RF over Bogey if we picked him up.

http://www.crawfishboxes.com

by OremLK on Jan 10, 2012 9:09 AM CST reply actions

F-Mart's ailing knees

Would make him an ideal platoon partner for Bogusevic in RF if his bat proves capable.

by kyuss94 on Jan 10, 2012 11:27 AM CST up reply actions

Both are LHBs.

by clack on Jan 10, 2012 11:44 AM CST up reply actions

ah

for some reason i thought that martinez was a right hander.

by kyuss94 on Jan 10, 2012 8:53 PM CST up reply actions

with a hat tip to AstrosCounty it looks like the Astros have signed three international free agents.

http://www.astroscounty.com/2012/01/astros-sign-tomas-lopez.html?m=1

by conroestro on Jan 10, 2012 11:19 AM CST via mobile reply actions

I remember F-Mart because he hit a bomb off of Bud Norris last year and plopped one into the 2nd deck at Minute Maid. I’m all for getting F-Mart because I doubt anybody wants Arcenio Leon.

Bomb: http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=14775021&c_id=mlb

Plus wouldn’t it be cool to have two Martinez’s? He kinda looks like he’s J.D.’s brother.

Thinking is the hardest work there is, which is probably the reason why so few engage in it. - Henry Ford

by BustaPozee on Jan 10, 2012 3:45 PM CST reply actions

Like J.D.

Fernando has bad knees, and may be relegated to LF/DH. But I’d still claim him.

by Hal J on Jan 10, 2012 5:18 PM CST up reply actions

His bat would be the best thing he has if he can play a full season. We have a D.H spot opening up the year after next, so this would be a good investment to plan to fill that position.

Thinking is the hardest work there is, which is probably the reason why so few engage in it. - Henry Ford

by BustaPozee on Jan 10, 2012 5:29 PM CST up reply actions

For

some reason the first team I thought of when I saw the news was the ‘Stros. Not sure if that’s an omen or not.

Twitter
Buried Treasure - #12 Prospect Stetson Allie
Buried Treasure - More on the MLB Draft

by McCutchenIsTheTruth on Jan 10, 2012 4:42 PM CST reply actions

I thought of Athletics haha

Follow me on twitter @nyybrandonc

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by Brandon C. on Jan 10, 2012 10:18 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs

Keith Law answered a question on twitter.

No, due to medicals. RT @tmengd: @keithlaw Would you see Fernando Martinez as great fit for Astros?

by MadMartygan on Jan 10, 2012 6:15 PM CST reply actions

And I'll add an unrelated Keith Law Tweet

Astros have received permission to interview Cardinals regional cross-checker Mike Elias for a Special Assistant role in scouting

I wonder if he’s starting to feel scorned. haha.

by MadMartygan on Jan 10, 2012 6:44 PM CST reply actions

Keith Law decided to stay with ESPN, by the way.

by clack on Jan 10, 2012 7:06 PM CST up reply actions

I was wondering what had happened with that.

by MadMartygan on Jan 11, 2012 12:18 AM CST up reply actions

So if he took a management position, would that be an Elias Sports Bureau?

by CRPerry13 on Jan 11, 2012 7:53 AM CST up reply actions

Another quote from somebody else

@jonmorosi
Jon Morosi
#Astros hearing from a few teams on Carlos Lee but nothing is close, sources say. He would be a terrific fit for #Indians.

I actually want Carlos Lee to stay with us next year. At least part of it.

Thinking is the hardest work there is, which is probably the reason why so few engage in it. - Henry Ford

by BustaPozee on Jan 10, 2012 7:08 PM CST reply actions

Why?

I’d be happy to see him go sooner rather than later. The opportunity cost of keeping him on the roster isn’t worth his production, in my opinion. Could be trying out younger players at first base/left field.

http://www.crawfishboxes.com

by OremLK on Jan 10, 2012 7:42 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs

I agree. I worry about how bad the Astros offense would be with out him, but at the end of the day how much is 3 or 4 wins going to matter to this years team.

by conroestro on Jan 10, 2012 8:05 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

Plus...

If Lee goes, Brett Wallace finally gets a chance to settle in at 1B.

I think this is Wallace’s make or break year, so the team really needs to give him every single opportunity to play and get more experience.

Also, Lee, as OremLK noted, isn’t really going to help the franchise by hanging around in 2012. I’d rather see the team jettison him to someone else—even if it means paying ALL his 2012 salary—in order to get something back in return.

by ToyCannon on Jan 11, 2012 12:27 PM CST up reply actions

I like Carlos Lee a lot...always have

But, next season it’s possible we won’t get anything for him, since they are eliminating Type A and B Free Agents, and even then we’ll only get a draft pick. If somebody’s offering multiple minor leaguers or one decent minor leaguer, the Astros need to take it.

by CRPerry13 on Jan 11, 2012 7:54 AM CST up reply actions

I tend to agree with you, but I am not optimistic that the Astros will get a decent prospect in return. No matter what, the Astros will have to pay most of his salary in order to unload him. But if the Astros can’t get anything decent in return, it’s not worth doing probably. Lee is at a stage where the Astros have to hope that he starts off well and creates some mid-season trade value. Alternatively, it’s possible that the Astros could trade Lee (with the above-stated money) and get some Quad-A players or fringe ML players in return. That might be OK, depending on whom the players might be. As usual, I wouldn’t hold my breath on a Carlos Lee trade.

by clack on Jan 11, 2012 12:34 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs

Hate Carlos Lee. But if all Crane is going to do with the money saved is put it back in his pocket, of course I don’t want to see him traded. Houston won’t eat enough to get back any prospect worth anything.

by Snake Diggity on Jan 11, 2012 11:41 AM CST up reply actions

It sounds like its possible that the Astros claimed Fernando

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2012/01/fernando-martinez-claimed-by-nl-central-team.html

According to MLBTradeRumors Martinez was claimed by a team in the NL Central. Its possible that it might be our Astros.

by conroestro on Jan 11, 2012 12:20 PM CST via mobile reply actions

Here's the tweet from Enrique Rojas

@AdamRubinESPN Yes sir…..#Astros

Pretty in depth.

by MadMartygan on Jan 11, 2012 12:24 PM CST up reply actions

I know. Glad he elaborated on it.

by conroestro on Jan 11, 2012 12:25 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

Sounds good. Might as well take a flyer on a guy like that.

by MadMartygan on Jan 11, 2012 12:25 PM CST up reply actions

Astros have claimed Fernando Martinez

Apparently. https://twitter.com/#!/Enrique_Rojas1/statuses/157158847734235136

So who gets chopped?

Thinking is the hardest work there is, which is probably the reason why so few engage in it. - Henry Ford

by BustaPozee on Jan 11, 2012 12:36 PM CST reply actions

I’d say it’s between Leon, Tatum and Sanchez? Anyone else a possibility? Maybe CJ?

by MadMartygan on Jan 11, 2012 12:42 PM CST up reply actions

Nah probably not CJ.

by MadMartygan on Jan 11, 2012 12:42 PM CST up reply actions

Tatum > Sanchez > Leon

Leon probably gets chopped.

Thinking is the hardest work there is, which is probably the reason why so few engage in it. - Henry Ford

by BustaPozee on Jan 11, 2012 12:45 PM CST up reply actions

That could possibly be the case. The Astros have quite a few bullpen options.

Hopefully it is the Astros that claimed him.

by conroestro on Jan 11, 2012 12:52 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

Gotta be a reliever (unless a trade is imminent). Leon, De Leon, or Abad would be my choices, in that order.

by Snake Diggity on Jan 11, 2012 1:13 PM CST up reply actions

I bet it's Leon that gets the axe.

The bird is struggling out of the egg. The egg is the world. Whoever wants to be born, must first destroy a world.

by Stupendous Man on Jan 11, 2012 2:41 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

I doubt it will be Tatum. Decent defensive backup catcher and cheaper than Q.

by CRPerry13 on Jan 11, 2012 1:31 PM CST up reply actions

There is going to be a lot of competition going on in the outfield

during spring training…

of course it is the same in the infield..

really if we manage to offload Lee the only spot in the field that will NOT be up for grabs is SS since I think we can safely pencil in Lowrie there.

by Crzycjunx76 on Jan 11, 2012 12:55 PM CST reply actions

I think that’s the one thing this team has going for it, depth:

C: Castro, Q
1B: Lee, Wallace
2B: Altuve, Downs, Paredes
SS: Lowrie, Marwin
3B: Paredes, Downs, CJ
RF: Bogusevic, Buck, Shuck, Bourgeois
CF: Schafer, Bourgeois, Shuck
LF: Martinez, Martinez, Shuck

by Snake Diggity on Jan 11, 2012 1:15 PM CST up reply actions

RF:
Bogusevic
F. Martinez
J.D. Martinez (if moved from left)
Travis Buck

CF:
Schafer
Bourgeois
Shuck

LF:
J.D. Martinez
Lee
F. Martinez
Buck

Backup Outfield Slots (in addition to those listed above):
Brad Snyder

3B:
Paredes
Johnson
Downs

SS:
Lowrie
Sanchez
Marwin Gonzalez

2B:
Altuve
Downs
Sanchez

1B:
Lee
Wallace
Downs

C:
Castro
Q
Tatum

Thinking is the hardest work there is, which is probably the reason why so few engage in it. - Henry Ford

by BustaPozee on Jan 11, 2012 1:18 PM CST up reply actions

Why does everyone pencil in J.D. Martinez going to right field?

I don’t understand, he can barely play left field, there is a huge difference in playing left and right. J.D. is a borderline left fielder but most likely a DH.

by blazemule on Jan 11, 2012 1:32 PM CST up reply actions

John Sickels posted a timeline of his thoughts on Martinez.

http://www.minorleagueball.com/2012/1/11/2699820/the-journey-of-fernando-martinez-new-york-mets-waivers

by MadMartygan on Jan 11, 2012 1:14 PM CST reply actions

That’s really interesting. Unless the injury is worse than advertised, it’s a good move. I mean, the guy got a B- grade LAST YEAR. That’d put him in our top 5 prospects if I’m not mistaken.

by Snake Diggity on Jan 11, 2012 1:21 PM CST up reply actions

I read that as well, and Martinez sounds like a solid guy to take a chance on.

by conroestro on Jan 11, 2012 1:24 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

Villar and Clemens got B- grades at 4 and 5. I think he’d probably get bumped down to a C+ which would still have him in our top 10.

by MadMartygan on Jan 11, 2012 1:25 PM CST up reply actions

I just hope he can rebound a bit. Looks like the Mets did a pretty crap job of developing him.

by MadMartygan on Jan 11, 2012 1:27 PM CST up reply actions

It's been confirmed

AdamRubinESPN Adam Rubin
Source: Fernando Martinez is an Astro
1 minute ago Favorite Retweet Reply

Thinking is the hardest work there is, which is probably the reason why so few engage in it. - Henry Ford

by BustaPozee on Jan 11, 2012 1:37 PM CST reply actions

And

here is the link

Twitter
Buried Treasure - #12 Prospect Stetson Allie
Buried Treasure - More on the MLB Draft

by McCutchenIsTheTruth on Jan 11, 2012 1:38 PM CST up reply actions

Another solid move.

by MadMartygan on Jan 11, 2012 1:39 PM CST up reply actions

Great Move by Stros

This is a low risk/high reward type move. He has the swing you can dream on. Too bad F!, as many Met fans referred to him at the height of his prospect star, has the knee of a 60 year old retired NFL offensive lineman. It’s a shame to see a prospect’s body fail him like this.

by AyatollahTLC on Jan 11, 2012 1:57 PM CST reply actions

Starting in 2013, F-Mart could be a potential DH. His legs won’t matter as much there, obviously.

The bird is struggling out of the egg. The egg is the world. Whoever wants to be born, must first destroy a world.

by Stupendous Man on Jan 11, 2012 2:43 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

Maybe he and J.D could take turns.

by MadMartygan on Jan 11, 2012 2:52 PM CST up reply actions

Did F-Mart get shot in the legs?

I am not sure how he can deteriorate that much from being a speedster to not even being able to man a corner position.

by blazemule on Jan 11, 2012 3:16 PM CST up reply actions

From what I’ve read it looks like he has arthritis in them. Similar to J.D I believe. I don’t know if it was just a result of multiple injuries or just genetic. I think BigStapler down there linked us an injury report that I’m gonna take a look at.

by MadMartygan on Jan 11, 2012 3:18 PM CST up reply actions

Yeah, that makes sense

I could see them splitting time at DH and left field, so neither has to put a full season’s mileage on his knees in any given year. If they both pan out, which is by no means guaranteed.

http://www.crawfishboxes.com

by OremLK on Jan 12, 2012 3:52 AM CST up reply actions

Sweet

Let him show what he has in spring training, then have him play left field in OKC. Next spring training have him there to compete for the DH and see if it works. Viola, JD in left and FM as DH.

I don’t hate this lineup for 2014.

Bouvesevic (sp)
Deshields
Springer
Singleton
F-Mart
J-Mart
Paredes
Villar
Castro

by vicious-peanut on Jan 11, 2012 2:54 PM CST reply actions

Feel free to replace Bougesevic with Santana or Ovando and Deshields with Altuve.

by vicious-peanut on Jan 11, 2012 2:57 PM CST reply actions

Yeah. I’d be pretty ecstatic for Deshields to be in Double A in 2014.

by MadMartygan on Jan 11, 2012 2:58 PM CST up reply actions

F! has never been healthy

Check out his lengthy injury history from Toby Hyde (the best Mets prospect expert). As a Mets fan that has followed him since he was a (bonus) baby, I’m pulling for him to succeed wherever he goes. The contact and power tools are excellent but he lost so much development time.

by TheBigStapler on Jan 11, 2012 3:14 PM CST reply actions

That seems to be the general consensus. I hope it works out, but even if it doesn’t, not much of a risk. Especially if Angel Sanchez is the guy we have to cut.

by MadMartygan on Jan 11, 2012 3:17 PM CST up reply actions

Low risk, high reward

I’ve wanted the Astros to take shots like this for years.

by CRPerry13 on Jan 11, 2012 3:40 PM CST up reply actions

Absolutely. Exact kind of moves that need to be made.

by MadMartygan on Jan 11, 2012 3:43 PM CST up reply actions

It seems like you guys have had Houston Texans luck when it comes to injuries over the last few years. What’s going on over there?

by MadMartygan on Jan 11, 2012 3:20 PM CST up reply actions

Henry Villar

brianmctaggart Brian McTaggart
Astros designate RHP Henry Villar for assignment to make room for Martinez

Thinking is the hardest work there is, which is probably the reason why so few engage in it. - Henry Ford

by BustaPozee on Jan 11, 2012 3:46 PM CST reply actions

brianmctaggart Brian McTaggart
Al Pedrique has resigned as Astros bench coach bit.ly/zzYAMY
53 seconds ago Favorite Retweet Reply

Thinking is the hardest work there is, which is probably the reason why so few engage in it. - Henry Ford

by BustaPozee on Jan 11, 2012 3:46 PM CST reply actions

brianmctaggart Brian McTaggart
Astros hire bench coach Joe Pettini, who had been with the St. Louis Cardinals for the last 10 years.
1 minute ago Favorite Retweet Reply

Thinking is the hardest work there is, which is probably the reason why so few engage in it. - Henry Ford

by BustaPozee on Jan 11, 2012 3:53 PM CST up reply actions

well that was quick!

by Astrofan on Jan 11, 2012 3:55 PM CST up reply actions

We are now the Cardinals on the coast apparently

by Crzycjunx76 on Jan 12, 2012 2:31 PM CST up reply actions

Astros add 4 to staff: Joe Pettini (bench coach), Matt Sinatro (catching/advance scouting coordinator)…Dan Radison (Special Assistant to GM/Player Development), Mike Elias (Special Assistant to the GM/Scouting).

Thinking is the hardest work there is, which is probably the reason why so few engage in it. - Henry Ford

by BustaPozee on Jan 11, 2012 4:14 PM CST reply actions

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