Martinez traded to Arizona in exchange for 3 prospects:
JUST IN: the Diamondbacks reportedly acquire OF JD Martinez from the Tigers.
(via @jonmorosi & @Ken_Rosenthal) pic.twitter.com/kkIiYT2mgI
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) July 18, 2017
For some weeks now, the Arizona Diamondbacks have been looking for a right-handed power bat to jump start their lineup. They found their man on Monday afternoon when they acquired J.D Martinez from the Detroit Tigers in exchange for prospects Dawel Lugo, Sergio Alcantara and Jose King.
The fourth ranked prospect in the D-backs organization, Lugo, is the player the Tigers most coveted in return. The Tigers now begin their rebuild, as they are falling out of contention, despite winning four games in a row. They sit 5 games back in the AL Central, and Wild Card races. Not all hope is completely gone, but the front office has expressed interest in moving other parts to shed payroll as well.
Lugo, who plays infield, was playing in Double-A this season and was batting .282 with 7 HR’s, and 43 RBI’s. As for the other prospects, Alcantara (middle infielder) was playing High-A ball batting .279 with 28 RBI, and King (middle infielder) was playing in rookie ball, where he was hitting .261.
So, was this a good trade for an Arizona team that ultimately could lose Martinez at the end of the season in free agency? Quite simply, the answer is yes. The D-backs are in their worst slump of the season with a record of 2-8 in their last 10. They needed to make this move to provide a spark to their lineup and improve upon their lowly batting average versus left-handed-pitching.
OPS Vs LHP This Season
J.D. Martinez 1.661 (leads MLB – min. 40 PA)@Dbacks .660 (28th in MLB) pic.twitter.com/zDalwALZQL
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) July 18, 2017
Coming into Tuesday’s game vs. the Cincinnati Reds, they are hitting just .213, which ranks second to last in all of Major League Baseball. This is a number that will need to increase the last few months of the season for them to have a realistic chance at the Wild Card.
Martinez, who was hitting .305 with 16 HR’s and 39 RBI for Detroit, will give this D-backs team a much different look offensively. This move solidifies the D-backs are ready to make a serious push for the playoffs this season.
Here is what Mike Hazen, Arizona’s GM had to say about the trade:
.@Dbacks GM Mike Hazen on J.D. Martinez: “We felt like it was a good fit for us given where we currently stand.” pic.twitter.com/FWNA0dQpu0
— Bally Sports Arizona (@BALLYSPORTSAZ) July 19, 2017
With Martinez moving to the desert, you can only imagine his offensive numbers will improve and help this team significantly. Whether he is here past this season is yet to be seen, but enjoy this move while you can D-backs fans. It’s time to go all in and make a push to the playoffs. Great move by the Diamondbacks front office, and it looks like this could be the first of many moves made prior to the deadline.
