Position: RHP
Bats/Throws: Right/Right
Date of Birth: 6/2/1986
Traditional Stats: 1-3, 55.2 IP, 52 H, 21 ER, 5 BB, 65 K, 3.40 ERA
Advanced Stats: 3.25 FIP, 30.1 K%, 2.3 BB%, 148 ERA+, 1.5 bWAR, 1.0 fWAR
Martin was one of the most dominant relief pitchers from June to September last year. Martin began the year as a Ranger after struggling in Texas the year prior. Martin’s career path is stranger than most, as he was in the minors for the first few years of his career.
He finally got his first serious cup of coffee with the Yankees in 2015. Unfortunately for him, he struggled while riding the going back and forth from the majors and Triple-A. The Yankees sold his contract to the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters of the NPBL. Martin dominated the league in 2016 and 2017. His numbers gave him a chance to return to the majors and now he is going to be in line for a big pay day.
From June 1 until the end of the season, Martin had a 2.88 ERA with 46 strikeouts and only two walks in 34.1 innings. His FIP was 1.85 in that time with a 35.4 K% and 1.5 BB%. The big thing for Martin was his improved splitter. Martin used it more than he had in the past. Martin had the fourth most valuable splitter among all relievers in baseball. Baseball Savant registers it as a changeup but it did show that it drops 3 inches.
After Martin had two dominant months, the Braves felt compelled enough to send a talented prospect in, Kolby Allard, for a rental. Martin was much better with the Braves than his ERA might indicate. He had a 4.08 ERA but posted a 1.63 FIP and walked virtually no one. His stint there did not end on a high note though. He had an oblique injury which sidelined him in the playoffs and the Braves bullpen definitely missed him.
Contract
Fangraphs has him for a two-year deal worth roughly $9-$12 million. I’d say that is a pretty fair value on him. Justin Wilson‘s contract is a good mold for what to expect from him. While the markets do tend to move slowly, it wouldn’t surprise me to see a team pick up Martin early and have a good reliever on their board early in the offseason.
My Take
I think the Mets should go after him. I find it unlikely that the Mets will invest a massive amount of resources into their bullpen for a second straight offseason. Martin represents a good reliever at a modest cost with room for growth.
