Mets Sign OF Dustin Martin to Minor League Deal

Mets Sign OF Dustin Martin

The New York Mets today announced that they have signed OF DUSTIN MARTIN to a minor league contract. Martin has been activated to the Buffalo Bisons roster and will join the team in Lehigh Valley for tonight’s game against the IronPigs.

Martin went to 2012 major league spring training with the Minnesota Twins but was released on March 27. The 28-year old outfielder has spent each of the last three seasons with the Rochester Red Wings. In 2011, Martin hit .265 (130-490) with 26 doubles, five triples, 15 home runs and 69RBI in 136 games with Rochester. He led the Red Wings in extra-base hits (46) and RBI.

In the last three years in the International League, Martin has racked up 114 extra-base hits and 47 stolen bases in 392 games with the Red Wings. He was an International League All-Star in 2010.

Martin was originally drafted by the Mets in the 26th round of the 2006 draft. He was traded by New York to Minnesota in a 2007 deal that brought second baseman Luis Castillo to the Mets.

The Bisons have taken some big hits on their roster with the losses of Kirk Nieuwenhuis, Jordany Valdespin and Zach Lutz. This will help them add a little depth to a depleted bench.

Metsmerized Sighting In Lehigh Valley

Just heard from Pete who emailed me and said “I’m getting ready to hit the field at Coca Cola Park, where are those damned Ryne Sandberg questions you were supposed to send me???” Calm down Pete, they’re on their way. Make sure you take plenty of pics and congratulate Hefner and Edgin for their solid debuts. Also tell Edge I said thanks for the follow! By the way, for some odd reason there are two Coca Cola ballparks in the International League – Coca Cola Park where the Iron Pigs call home, and Coca Cola Field where the Buffalo roam.

Recent Moves May Storm Havens Into Action

With Jordany Valdespin now up with the Mets, and the recent news that Sean Kazmar has hit the DL with an oblique strain, this could open up things for Reese Havens who is getting some reps at extended spring training. You may remember me saying that there’s good chance he could be assigned some time this week, well now the door is wide open for that to happen. Lets see if he goes to Binghamton (that’s my hunch) or if they’ll stick him in Buffalo.

Lutz Invades Flushing

The Mets have called up infielder Zach Lutz from the Buffalo Bisons. It’s been a long time coming for Lutz who has patiently been one of the most productive players the Mets have had in the upper level in the last two seasons. Hopefully we see Lutz make his major league debut tonight either as a starter or off the bench.

Lutz batted .295 last season with 12 doubles, 11 home runs and 31RBI in 61 games in an injury shortened season and was batting .333 with five doubles and three homers in 19 games with the Bisons this season.

A 5th round draft pick in 2007, Lutz replaces outfielder Jason Bay who went on the disabled list with a fractured rib. We wish him the best of luck while he’s here.

Owen Breaks 17 Year Drought

In case you missed it in my Bisons recap from last night, Bisons starter Dylan Owen became the first Buffalo pitcher in more than 17 years to hit a home run as he went deep in a 5-1 victory over Lehigh Valley from Coca-Cola Park. It has been almost two decades and two affiliations ago since a Bisons pitcher went deep. Here’s a video of Dylan Owen going deep last night. (Thanks to the Bisons for sharing with us.)