The St. Louis Cardinals have signed RF Jose Martinez to a two-year contract worth $3.25 million. The contract is through 2020, he's still four years away from free agency. That means the Cardinals would still have two years of team control, before he becomes a free agent. Martinez would have become arbitration eligible after the 2019 season. The Cardinals looked into trading Martinez in the offseason and there were teams interested in him, but no one seemed to offer value in return for him.
Martinez, 30, has developed into one of the Cardinals best hitters. In his first full season in the MLB in 2017, Martinez hit .309 with 14 home runs, 46 rbi's, and 4 stolen bases. In 2018, he showed that wasn't a fluke. Martinez hit .305 with 17 home runs, and 83 rbi's. Martinez had 163 hits. Martinez finished 7th among batting leaders. While, he isn't that great at defense if he needs to be used he's better in right field. Last season, he tried playing firstbase but wasn't that great. This season he won't need to be used at firstbase because of Paul Goldschmidt. Martinez can be used as a pinch hitter, and when needed in right field. If Dexter Fowler doesn't do well, Martinez could become the Cardinals starting right fielder.
There's even been talk about the designated hitter maybe coming to the National League in a few seasons. If that happens at all, Martinez would be the perfect DH for the Cardinals lineup.
Overall Martinez has played 3 seasons in the MLB. He' played 270 games with 115 runs, 254 hits, 44 doubles, 1 triple, 31 home runs, 130 rbi's, 4 sb's, 83 walks, and a .309 batting average.
It's a good contract for both sides. Martinez deserved a pay raise. If he becomes a starter for the Cardinals, the contract increases the possibility for earning more in arbitration when that comes. The contract also has incentives that will increase his value if he does become a starter.
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