Toby Hyde of Mets Minor League Blog poses an interesting question:
I just find this whole little episode stunning. Giving up Fernando Martinez for nothing just seems odd. Surely Martinez was worth something, like a live arm or two, on the trade market. Moreover, there is still slack on the Mets 40-man roster.
This feels a little bit like the Omar Minaya days when the Mets often seemed out of line with the way teams valued assets (hello, 4 years and $25 million for Luis Castillo). The Astros, and as the rumor goes, at least five teams were interested in Martinez, and the Mets got nothing. Who was the top prospect like Martinez where a team just gave up at this point when the player still had an option remaining? I’m drawing a blank. Anyone?
Original Post 1/11
According to Adam Rubin of ESPN New York, the Astros have claimed OF Fernando Martinez off waivers.
Houston, which has first choice in waiver claims because of their MLB-worst record in 2011, selected the 23-year-old outfielder.
The Mets needed to clear 40-man roster spots for the additions of Scott Hairston and Ronny Cedeno, and chose to put Martinez as well as left-hander Daniel Herrera on waivers.
Martinez batted .183 with two home runs and 12 RBI in 131 at-bats for the Mets between 2009-2011.
Like Lastings Milledge before him (the Mets #1 prospect before F-Mart), another one bites the dust.
