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Jose Martinez 2019 Outlook: Lack of Playing Time Could Hurt Value
6 years agoSt. Louis Cardinals first baseman/outfielder Jose Martinez was a revelation in the second half of 2017 as a late-age breakout. He proved it wasn't a fluke with a strong first half in 2018, hitting .297 with 13 HR and 56 RBI. Then, playing time suddenly became an issue. Martinez simply didn't play as much in July, sitting out for a stretch for no reason other than manager's decision. While he survived the trade deadline and had a good finish to the season, he faces a bigger obstacle now that the Cardinals have acquired Paul Goldschmidt to hold down first base. With young players like Harrison Bader and Tyler O'Neill ready to take the third and fourth outfielder positions in St. Louis, a trade may be Martinez's only hope for consistent fantasy value in 2019. At 30 years of age with a negative defensive rating, Martinez doesn't figure to fit into any team's plans as anything more than a platoon bat. He is being drafted within the top 175 overall players but could be overvalued and may not warrant more than a last-round pick.
