Thoughts on J.D. Martinez

[Bahama O's Fan]

I heard the Tigers are trying to shed payroll. Should we be interested in this guy? He's a FA, so he shouldn't cost a lot for one year.

[Babypowder]

We should absolutely be interested, unfortunately we don't have the horses without trading major league pieces.

[El Gordo]

He'd cost more than we can afford to give up.

[SteveA]

I've gotten the impression that Martinez is pretty bad defensively, other than a good arm.

[25 Nuggets]

7 hours ago, SteveA said:

I've gotten the impression that Martinez is pretty bad defensively, other than a good arm.

He was shockingly bad last season but on average I don't think he's worse than Kim or Trumbo.  Kind of like Michael Saunders that way.

Offensively he's had three straight seasons among the best in the American League.  He's more dangerous than Carlos Gonzalez at half the price.

It's pretty surprising to me that Detroit hasn't been able to move him - it can only mean they're asking for the moon.

[mdbdotcom]

I'll always hold a place for JD in my heart for his momentary fumble of Delmon's double off the wall in the '14 ALDS. 

[esmd]

If this is his walk year, and they're asking for the moon, then they're not being realistic. 

[jabba72]

I think they are asking for premium young talent in return. Understandable. It would probably take Gausman + for Detroit to start negotiating. Martinez was awful in the OF last year. 

[ArtVanDelay]

32 minutes ago, jabba72 said:

I think they are asking for premium young talent in return. Understandable. It would probably take Gausman + for Detroit to start negotiating. Martinez was awful in the OF last year. 

Gausman alone would be a massive overpay for Martinez.

[esmd]

1 hour ago, ArtVanDelay said:

Gausman alone would be a massive overpay for Martinez.

Agreed.  It'd be one thing if he had 2 or 3 seasons of team control, but not if he's a FA after '17.  You don't give up premium talent for a rental.  That's what I think the O's need to go all-in for '17 if they're not going to sign Machado and Britton.  Because otherwise, you might as well just trade them now when you can get maximum value for them both.

[Babypowder]

1 hour ago, ArtVanDelay said:

Gausman alone would be a massive overpay for Martinez.

Indeed, but our "prospects" would all be underpays. We can't get Martinez without major league talent going back, and I don't think that's what Detroit wants anyway. They want prospects, we don't have them.

[sportsfan8703]

3 hours ago, jabba72 said:

I think they are asking for premium young talent in return. Understandable. It would probably take Gausman + for Detroit to start negotiating. Martinez was awful in the OF last year. 

I'm pretty sure they'd start listening if we offered Givens.  We don't have the milb talent to land him and it's pointless to weaken your mlb team if you're trying to win now.