Dodgers Rumors: Why the potential Jose Martinez trade is genius
By Jason Reed
The latest Dodgers rumors indicate that the Dodgers are going to make a trade for St. Louis’ Jose Martinez, a trade that would be smart for LA.
The Los Angeles Dodgers rumors have been flooding since the Winter Meetings have started and by the time you are reading this there are probably brand new Dodgers rumors and even confirmed deals that have transpired.
Obviously, at the time of writing this the trade for Jose Martinez has not been made official. If the trade does happen, and somewhat follows the pre-existing reports. If it has not happened, just hang tight, there is time.
Ken Rosenthal first reported that the Dodgers were in discussions with the Cardinals for Jose Martinez. The rumored return that the Dodgers would be giving up is something simple: a reliever named Tony Cingrani.
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Los Angeles will likely add a low-tier prospect in the deal as well or could even try to have St. Louis take Matt Kemp for more prospects (although that seems unlikely). Either way, the deal seems to be focused on Martinez and Cingrani.
Some have been skeptical of this move because of Martinez’ defense as well as the current logjam that is first base. With Martinez, the Dodgers would have four guys to play first including Cody Bellinger, Max Muncy and David Freese.
However, this trade would open the door for the Dodgers to be flexible.
This would allow the Dodgers to move Cody Bellinger to a full-time outfield position in center field as well as play Muncy at second base. The defensive partnership of Muncy and Martinez on the right side is not terrible but the Dodgers still have elite defenders in Bellinger and Enrique Hernandez to fill those spots when it matters.
This seemed to be the same goal when it was reported that the Dodgers had contacted the Chicago White Sox for Jose Abreu. Nothing yet has happened in that situation.
At the end of the day, this potential deal for Martinez is a good one. First and foremost, his contract is great. Martinez is under team control this season and will remain in arbitration through the 2022 season.
Martinez will be 30 this coming season, so there shouldn’t be any reason to grow weary of his production. Last year, Martinez hit 17 long bombs with 83 RBIs, a .305 batting average and a .821 OPS. He has the eighth-best batting average since 2017 of hitters with 850 plate appearances.
I understand that his defense is sub-par and there are concerns on the right side. However, Martinez provides a quality right-handed hitting bat in a lineup that is so left-handed heavy at its best that it would really even out the flow of the lineup.
Plus, the Dodgers would be paying him such a small salary and would be giving up virtually nothing in the trade itself.
This also helps the team in depth as the team continues to look to trade and outfielder (and probably will) this winter. Nobody is really safe in the outfield and adding Martinez would allow Bellinger to make the full-time transition to the field to replace some guys.
If the Dodgers manage to get Bryce Harper as well, that would be two huge bats to add to an already great lineup.
Next. The two untouchable prospects this winter. dark
By the time you read this these Dodgers rumors might not even be rumors anymore. Either way, this is a great deal for the Dodgers to make.