The Texas Rangers have announced they have acquired catcher Luis Martinez from the San Diego Padres in exchange for right-hander Ryan Kelly.
Original Post 12/19
According to Mike Puma of the New York Post, the Mets are interested in catcher Luis Martinez, who was designated for assignment by the Padres this past weekend.
The 26-year-old right-handed hitting backstop batted .203/.309/.305 with one home run and 10 RBI over 68 plate appearances in his rookie season with the Padres.
With Triple-A Tucson this season, Martinez batted .313 with 12 doubles and 18 RBIs in 38 games. He missed a good deal of time battling hamstring injuries.
San Diego manager Bud Black said this about Martinez last season, “He sprays the ball around, and he puts the ball in play,” Black said. “Line-drive singles and line drives gap to gap.”
I’m sure Alderson will sign a couple of inexpensive catchers like Martinez to compete in camp this spring, but his plan is to go with Thole and Nickeas based on what he’s said on more than one occasion..
