Yesterday, the Mariners made a pretty surprising move. Dan Vogelbach was coming up to the majors after hitting the snot out of the ball in Tacoma. Going down was...Leonys Martin?!
Leonys Martin has been designated for assignment.
— Ryan Divish (@RyanDivish) April 23, 2017
Martin had been lauded as one of Jerry Dipoto’s best pickups in his first offseason. Seattle acquired him from the Rangers for Tom Wilhelmsen and Patrick Kivlehan (who were later sent back to Seattle for free) alongside bad-outfielder-turned-worse-pitcher James Jones. With Anthony Bass also packing his bags for Japan after the M’s got him in the deal, only Jones remains in the organization that acquired him in that deal.
But Martin fell out of favor with the team. He was a clubhouse favorite and an energizer on and off the field last year, but the outfielder was hitting .111/.172/.130 with a -12 wRC+ through 58 plate appearances in 2017. His defense wasn’t enough to justify his role anymore, and the team made the choice to move on.
Here are the facts:
Servais was close very close with Leonys Martin. The two talked for a long time last night about the decision and why.
— Ryan Divish (@RyanDivish) April 23, 2017
Pretty quiet clubhouse this morning. Martin was very popular amongst his teammates and very close with several players.
— Ryan Divish (@RyanDivish) April 23, 2017
Servais says if Martin clears waivers, he'd like him to stay in M's organization. "This was not an easy decision. I really like Leonys."
— Greg Johns (@GregJohnsMLB) April 23, 2017
Many fans were saddened by the move.
I love Leonys Martin and I love all of you. I'll miss the hell out of him pic.twitter.com/aoksR30L3V
— Ethan (@EthanNovak) April 24, 2017
I understand he was hugely struggling & maybe had attitude problems but to learn Felix, Canò & Cruz had to console Leonys gives me feels.
— Guns of Toblerone (@Toblerone_DOTUS) April 23, 2017
Obviously glad the M's won today but I think even M's victories are gonna make me kinda sad for awhile, thinking about Leonys missing out.
— rockedfaces (@rockedfaces) April 24, 2017
Regardless of how they personally felt, most understood the need for the change.
I love his defense, I love the man, but from a purely performance standpoint I'm not super worked up by this.
— Earth Day Joe Veyera (@JoeVeyera) April 23, 2017
Lost amidst all this Martin sadness, Taylor Motter probably gets regular time in LF once Segura returns on Tues. Make of that what you will.
— Jake Mailhot (@jakemailhot) April 23, 2017
I still think there were better moves than cutting Leonys, but from June 10th 2016 (after his injury) through this year: 62 wRC+.
— JJ (@KJ_Jeller) April 24, 2017
Fans of other teams are practically begging their squads to give Leonys another opportunity.
Leonys Martin is Craig Gentry minus four years and hits with the other hand. Orioles should at least inquire.
— Eddie Lee (@Red_Head_Ed) April 24, 2017
OK, I see I'm late to this party, but just saw the news about Leonys Martin getting DFA'ed. Make the call, #Tigers.
— Ian Casselberry (@iancass) April 23, 2017
A's should get Leonys Martin
— Brad Hill ❄️ (@CaliforniaJag) April 23, 2017
Perhaps Martin will stay with the organization. Maybe he won’t. What do you think about the move? What do you expect from the center fielder going forward?