Poll: Should the White Sox sign Victor Martinez; lose draft pick?
By Brian Draus
Sep 19, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Detroit Tigers designated hitter Victor Martinez (41) at bat against the Kansas City Royals during the second inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports
CONS
1. While he can still produce, is aging
Will Martinez’s numbers drop off after this season? No one knows that for sure, but it may come at some point over the next few years. It will be difficult to sign him on just a two-year deal, therefore making him a liability at some point.
2. Money
Is he going to be worth what a team pays him? If he gets a deal close to $20 million per year for 4 years, then the answer is no. That is too long of a contract in my opinion, and towards the end he could become a very average batter. If a team could spend $15M each for three years maybe, but anything more is risky.
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3. Loss of a draft pick
For a team that needs one bat, it wouldn’t matter. But for the White Sox, who need an influx of young talent, not only at the MLB level but in the minors this wouldn’t make sense. While their first round pick is protected, they would have to give up their second pick and the money that comes along with it.
4. Potential to break down
Due to the fact that Martinez is older, he may begin to get injured easier. Martinez missed all of 2012 with a knee injury, and who knows what will happen over the next few years. Keep in mind that he is limited position wise, due to the fact that he is not very mobile. While he once was a catcher, he probably would struggle there at this stage of his career.
FINAL THOUGHT
All in all, Martinez would be a problem for the White Sox right now. A lot of it would due to the fact that they are in a position where they need to acquire several players in this offseason, not just one.
Assuming the White Sox did sign Martinez, it would cripple their ability to sign or trade for other players. While they may have between $35-$45 million to work with, spending half of that on one player wouldn’t make sense.
I hope the White Sox are as active as they were last offseason, but not by signing one player, rather sign and trade for a good amount of players.
Maybe those signing would not be stars, but they could be solid players which they can put around Abreu in the lineup, as well as improve the staff to make this team competitive for next season, and years to come.