Brian Cashman continues to add depth to a thin Yankees staff. Today, the Yankees General Manager acquired swingman Chris Martin from the Rockies in exchange for cash considerations.
Correction: Yankees have acquired right-handed RELIEVER Chris Martin from the Rockies for cash. I wrote catcher earlier. Whiff by me.
— JackCurryYES (@JackCurryYES) January 13, 2015
Martin, 28, struggled in Colorado last season, posting a 6.89 ERA and allowing 12.9 hits per nine in just 15.2 innings with the big club.
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However, Martin does hold a career 3.25 minor league earned run average, and his 2014 major league ERA actually translates to a decent 3.77 FIP. Furthermore, 6’8” hurler posted a solid 3.50 strikeout-to-walk ratio in his limited time in the bigs in 2014.
As far as stuff is concerned, Martin throws a 95 mile per hour fastball and has both a slider and cutter in his arsenal.
Martin also has minor league options, so if he doesn’t make the Yankees out of camp, the team can option the righty to Triple-A and recall him when injuries, ineffectiveness, or fatigue plaques the ‘pen.
This is a low-risk, high-reward trade, much like the acquisition of Chris Capuano a year ago. If all breaks right for the Yanks, Martin could eat up the middle innings in the Bronx. Worst-case, the Texan provides depth for a depleted Railriders’ pitching staff, the Yankees Triple-A affiliate.