My Latest Last Post on Fernando Martinez

-I want to clear something up. I wrote a post earlier today speculating that Fernando Martinez could play 1B next season. This was just my speculation and I wasn’t quoting anyone. I also felt that this would be a good attempt to salvage a career that doesn’t seem to be happening due to injuries that take place running around the outfield. Many of the message posters over at Mets Blog thought I was nuts, which means they have a lot in common with my wife. One, in particular, who is a fellow blogger, was particularly cruel regarding my ability to write about the Mets system. That hurt, simply because there has always been a code between professional writers regarding publically attacking each other. Finding a need to diss a fellow writer to fans leaving messages on a blog is pretty sad.



No Mets minor leaguer generates more divisiveness than Martinez. I haven’t seen this kind of frustration and anger since the Alex Escobar days, which happened before the internet explosion. Anyone that has ever spend much time watching Martinez play will tell you that he has the talent to play every day in the major leagues. Some bodies break down due to injuries caused on the field. Reese Havens is a perfect example of someone that is basically healthy but can’t seem to avoid getting nicked up on the field by others. Then, there are the TJS pitchers whose arm simply tears from the hundreds of thousands of times they have throw a baseball to a catcher.


Martinez falls into the same category that Zach Lutz is in. Simply put genetics. In Lutz’ case, it’s his feet (this was Pedro Martinez’ problem late in his Mets career). For Fernando, it seems to be arthritis. This doesn’t take away from the fact that he might have more talent than any other player in the Mets system; however, bodies break down in different ways at different times. Arthritis at 22-years old is a death sentence for a professional athlete.


Regarding how I define “Plan B”, that’s a player that has the most talent behind someone that is a key player. Not a better first baseman, just a replacement in case this key player goes down. Example: Ike Davis was a Plan B behind Daniel Murphy on first base.


Lastly, let’s go back to the title of the post… it was “don’t be surprised…” and the next word was “if”. Just some speculation on a slow Mets news day.