Prior to the third ALDS game at Globe Life Park in Arlington, Jeff Wilson announced on twitter that RHP Nick Martinez, a converted infielder who has figuratively been Texas' "Little Dutch Boy", was being recalled from the team's training facilities in Arizona to be introduced with the team.  Joey Gallo and other "green room" Rangers who are being kept in preparedness in case of serious injury will likely be included as well.  Nick was one of those improbable Cy Young candidates for the first month of the year, maintaining an ERA and WHIP around 1.00.  Once regression hit and he returned to being a depth pitcher who never K's anyone, he continued to pitch to contact and turn in a decent number of quality starts until Derek Holland and Martin Perez returned after the All Star Break.

Not being introduced with the team is former Center Fielder Leonys Martin.  The Cuban was signed in 2010 and went from the Rookie League to AAA by 2012, when he appeared in 24 games for the big club.  He produced 2.9 fWAR in 2013 and 3.5 fWAR in 2014, entirely with his defense.  The bat is league-average at best.  In 2015, his contact and BABIP dropped off significantly, resulting in an offensive hole that his defense couldn't compensate for.  When Delino DeShields, Jr. was substituted for the struggling Leonys, DDJ was able to grab the starting CF job with little difficulty.  Leonys wound up with some minor injury diagnoses that got him a short disabled list stay and a long rehab assignment, during which Leonys failed to impress with either his results or his efforts, according to some observers.  With Drew Stubbs, the Rockies veteran who handled playing deep in Colorado with ease, on the roster as a defensive replacement, Martin was sent to Arizona when the playoffs started to stay prepared as an injury replacement or roster alternative.

However, Rangers fans learned today that Leonys refused the assignment and was angry with the club at being left off of the ALDS roster.  Ergo, Leonys is not being included in the honor roll later today.

Leonys Martin, when healthy, is arguably the best defensive Center Fielder in MLB.  His bat has never been projected very high, but he doesn't have to do much to make up his value.  As bad as his year has been, he still would have been on track to produce 1 fWAR, purely from defense.  Considering he's being paid $3 million per year, that's still great value.  Which means he was likely left off the roster for reasons other than his health.

The Rangers appear to have been on a roll for the past several months getting rid of players that new manager Jeff Banister has designated as not fitting in the clubhouse.  If these reports are remotely accurate, Martin will likely have an interesting off-season.  He was signed as a free-agent and his contract ends this season, but his service time didn't start until 2013, so he has three years of service time as of the end of this season.  As far as I understand it, that means that as part of any application for free agency he can go into salary arbitration with his current club.  I really don't understand for sure how that will work.

Only minutes after the Leonys Martin tweet, a tweet about Lewis Brinson crossed my feed as well.  Brinson has reported to the Arizona Fall League, where he'll play for the Ranger's team.  Brinson is also a true Center Fielder, projects as good as Leonys defensively, and has a bat with a 60 ceiling.  Brinson is still at least another year away, but don't be surprised if he gets a chance in Arlington next year with Martin on the outs.

Posted by: Ben at 04:25 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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