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Fernando Martinez missed 60 games last season because of a fractured bone in his right wrist.
In a report about the future of Jerry Manuel for Newsday, David Lennon quotes Mets Asst. GM Tony Bernazard as saying of Martinez:
“If he didn’t miss that time, he’d be in the majors this year.”
This season, despite missing five weeks with a hamstring injury, Martinez is batting .298 with 18 extra base hits, four stolen bases and 21 RBI, while striking out 48 times in 51 games for Double-A Binghamton.
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Way too many strikeouts. I hope they’re working on patience at the plate!
He’s young … he’s VERY young. We have to have patience with these players.
Is Bernazard an idiot? The kid is young…let him mature in the minors. The last thing the Mets need is a highly touted prospect flounder in the Majors because of being too GREEN!
right, but what he is saying makes sense. If Fmart had been playing all season in AA, he would most likely have been improving at a better rate than he is now. AND with all the injuries we have had in the OF, I think a productive AA season for Fmart would have had him promoted. Why would they use Nick Evans instead?
Because Nick Evans is right handed.
He does make sense as if FMart had not missed the time last year and based on how he was progressing he most likey does not repeat AA. This is based on the whole Mets like to push certain guys and the factr he was repeating what Gomez did which is struggle and than come on strong towards the middle of the AA season. This would have put him in AAA this year which if he held his own would have put him in line to be the call up when an inhury strikes. IMO Evans was brought up earlier and now most likely because they feel he is farther in his development.
I would get used to seeinf FMart in NY because I have a strong feeling that if he finishes strong in AA this year he will be the starting LF next year.
The strikeouts are a bit misleading.
In April he struck out 32 times in 114 AB, a stunning 28.0% of the time.
However since May 1st, he has only struck out 14 times in 101 at-bats, or 13.8% of the time.
Bernazard actually saw Fernando and made an adjustment to his stance that immediately paid dividends.
But hey, Bernazard is the devil and all that or whatever.
Sounds like what George Castanza did to Danny Tartabull.
I understand Bernazard is the Asst GM, but why do we have to constantly hear from this guy. It seems like Tony would have taken a step back after all the bad press he took, but I still hear his name way too much for an Asst GM. Tell me what other teams Asst GM is in the press this much? Do you even know the name of Asst Gm’s from other MLB teams? Why can’t Omar, who is the GM, just give the media updates on players like F-Mart? It seems to me that Bernazard like the attention a little too much for a person who should strictly be a behind the scenes guy.
Ruben Amaro is in the press a bunch for the Phillies.
i dont even know who the yankees assistant gm is… and is bernazard the assistant gm OR the assistant to the gm?
Bernazard’s main job is to oversee the Minor Leagues. I have no problem with him talking to the press about a prospect or two, because that’s where his area of expertise is supposed to be.
Most of the “stories” about him are complete rumor or innuendo anyways, “Well, someone was telling the players what was said in closed door meetings”, well why exactly are we assuming this was Bernazard’s doing, could it not have been a motivational tactic gone wrong from someone on the coaching staff? That’s alot more logical a conclusion.
48 K’s in 58 games…..sweet.
Can we try to take anything Bernazard says with a grain of salt? I don’t trust anything that comes out of his mouth.
and if beltran hits one into the gap against wainright we go to the world series. what is bernazards’ point?
exactly, if, if, if
and…
If the bear didn’t stop to take a poop in the woods… he would have caught the rabbit.
a nice qoute from my father.
yea and if Endy hits a pop out into the OF, we would have had the lead in the 7th.
That was Valentin who struck out with the bases loaded with one out, not Endy.
you might be right. So then Endy was up with 2 outs? B/c I know he had a chance with the bases loaded the same inning he made THE catch.
Either way, whoever was battingwith one out…yea that would’ve been a good spot.
What is your point, is the real question?
x2. The fact that Bernazard said it means it probably would have been a bad idea.
Why? Just because he might be a jerkoff means he doesn’t know baseball?
The strikeouts don’t worry me, but where is the power? I thought he was supposed to be a 5-tool guy.
Hopefully, given his size, the power will come
18 extra base hits is an indication of his power to come. his gap pwer will become hr power when he ages and matures into his body.
He is a keeper and only makes sense to deal for another young and more proven outfielder like Holliday
Trade FMart for a year and a half of Holliday….
I’d probably have to do that.
Then the Mets can sign him without having to give up a draft pick….or try to sign him given that Boras is his agent.
Maybe there is an off chance that Holliday and Boras will hedge their bets (that he is a product of Coors Field) and talk contract extension when a deal is worked out….rather than losing power in his new home ballpark, therefore losing $$$.
Yes, but either way that is bad news for the Mets.
why is that bad news for the mets? if his power numbers take a slight hit, he will still hit 30 HR. I’ll take that out of LF any day of the week. We certainly weren’t going to get that from Alou this year even if healthy.
Not to mention, we all know waht he can do in the clutch. Could have easily been the MVP last year.
Clutch. Ha. Sure, I will take 30 home runs from LF, but you hardly have to pay 20mm per year for that production.
He’s 19. He’s not even done growing yet.
Power doesn’t even hit it’s prime until the mid 20s.
Very true. Search on YouTube for Fernando Martinez. You should find some video of him taking BP. The ball explodes off his bat and he has a nice fluid swing. He shouldn’t and will not be going anywhere. If Omar wouldn’t trade him for Santana he isn’t going to the Rockies for Holliday. Give him a few years and he will be producing for chump change in terms of MLB salary.
You guys have to realize power comes when you get older and put on muscle. He is freakin 18. The numbers really aren’t the most important thing for tools guys. Reyes didn’t put up any gaudy numbers in the minors. Neither did Hanley. Its the fact that he has tools and he can compete with these guys. The power will come when he gets older. Same with the patience.
Even Wright who showed some power in the minors never hit more than 15 until the year he came up and hit 32 between AA, AAA and the majors. However he was also 21 going on 22. FMart still has 3 years to go to be at the stage inbody development
Has anyone else here seen FMart this year? I’ve seen him several times already (before he went down with injury), and he has been severely underwhelming. Swinging at bad pitches, not being patient at the plate, etc. I know he’s really young, so I’m not giving up on the future, but there is no way I saw him as being major league ready this year. Nick Evans, who already looks overmatched in the bigs, looked way better than FMart did in the games that I saw.
Let’s hope this is just one man’s opinion…If not I say trade him for Holliday…
nick evans is also 22 years old while fmart is 19.
can we get off this kid already and let him develop? my god…
my real point is that I dont think he would have been ready to come up this year.
Hard to make a case that a .298 batting average is severely underwhelming.
In defense he was struggling earllier in the year before turning it around right before and now after his DL stint so ifhe some him early on that might be why. Also his numbers against lefties are a work in progress.
Yes, I saw him early on when he was struggling alot. This is why I asked if anyone else had seen him so I could get a second opinion.
Wait.. you mean Tony.. *ahem*.. ‘it’.. speaks?
leave the kid down there and let him develop. he’s only 19-turning 20 and in double AA. maybe promote him to AAA, and see how he handles the challange. if he does well or even decent on that level then i would plan on him to start ‘09 in left. but no way bring him to the majors this year.
he’ll be up soon enough this year. not b’c it’s the right move, but simply because we have clowns like omar and bernazard in our front office.
There is no basis for making a dumb statement like this. Besides Pelfrey, what other minor leaguers have been rushed. Even though he was rushed, it appears Big Pelf is no worse off now.
Wright and Reyes were rushed too. That seems to have worked out well for everyone.
Wrigth was not rushed, he was killing the ball in AA and AAA in 2004. Perhaps reyes was but I do not recall the circumstances in 2003
Yea, but Reyes was an extreme talent who filled a SS need for the Mets, that is before Kaz was signed.
Plus, Reyes’ speed and defense were ready for MLB, he just needed to develop patience. Since his game isn’t built around power, you can bring that kind of player up.
Milledge and Gomez? Although Gomez was more because of necessity.
If you keep waiting on a player to have a huge minor league season, the player could be 25 by the time you call him up. I just don’t think they should wait that long. They hype is there. Let’s see what the kid has got. He should know that all he has to do is come close to the production of Chavez and Tatis for it to be worth everyone’s time.
If we are going to go with an “underwhelming” lineup, I’d rather it be “underwhelming” with potential.
The phillies waitd for Howard to be 26. But thats also b/c Thome was blocking him.
Yea but Pelf had 4 years in college, so rushing him isn’t as bad.
and Metsblog will undoubtedly bash the move, or any other move(not because it is the wrong move, but simply because we have clowns like you who post here).
FMart isn’t the answer this year. RANDY WINN is. Holiday is too expensive.
or ibanez. someone who can be had for basically just $$ and a farmhand.
The idea Winn is starting to grow on me. He is signed through ‘09, which means he helps make a run this year. Allows the FO to focus on pitching and 1B in the offseason. Then at some point next year, they can possibly start transitioning from Winn to FMart in left.
Winn or Ibanez would work for me. Whomever comes cheaper.
i agree. winn is not the type of player the mets really need…he has limited power. but he has a lot of speed and can play good defense. and speed and defense do not slump.
i would like to get winn, if it means keeping castillo on the bench and letting winn hit 2nd and easley 6th or 7th.
Reyes
winn
wright
beltran
church
delgado
easley
schn/castr
Speed and defense is exactly what we have in chavez.
Yes but Chavez isn’t nearly the hitter tht Winn is. Infact Chavez really doesn’t hit at all, and is miscast a starting player, as wonderful he is as a 4th OF/spot starter.
Do you realize how desperately San Fran wants to get rid of Randy Winn? He is owed $9MM next year. After blowing $8MM on Alou this year, I hardly think the Wilpons want to “transition” from Winn (at $9MM) to FMart mid-season. I just don’t see it.
I think the only options should be:
-trade for Holliday (Maine and FMart)
-call up FMart after the ASB
-sign Bonds
The Alou-Winn payroll is a basic wash in ‘09, so the Wilpons shouldn’t really care. As for the transition to FMart, I would think it would be the transition from ‘09 to ‘10, when Winn’s contract expires and hopefully FMart has had time to develop in AA and AAA.
And as for Winn vs. Chavez, Winn has been in the league as a full time starter for five to eights years while Endy, as much as I like him, has not started as a full timer. However, with Church in his condition, Chavez will have more than ample time in RF along with Tatis.
The last thing the Mets need now is a Put Your Finger In The Dam And Pray solution and what that is what the team has in house right now. They need to go out and get a solid stop gap for this year, like a Winn, Ibanez, Bradley or even Catallano(maybe).
Sorry, but I respectfully disagree. Randy Winn is not the answer. I know he has been a starter for a long time, but he is not the type of player this team needs and neither is Ibanez (another guy in the decline). Of the two, I would prefer Ibanez, as his contract expires at the end of the year.
Milton Bradley can be discussed. He plays with fire, but sometimes too much. But I have to pass on Winn and Ibanez, as they represent what most people resent about this team….aging veterans who are declining. Winn has been a solid major leaguer, I can’t argue that. But I think we need more than a solid Major Leaguer. We are certainly not getting Texeira next year. We’ll need some pop in the lineup somewhere. I say go get Holliday. Now.
“Do you realize how desperately San Fran wants to get rid of Randy Winn? He is owed $9MM next year. After blowing $8MM on Alou this year, I hardly think the Wilpons want to “transition” from Winn (at $9MM) to FMart mid-season. I just don’t see it.”
Uh…. What? This makes literally no sense. First of all, an 8 million dollar commitment for 1 year is nothing. Second of all, Winn doesnt have Alou’s injury history and is only 33. 3rd of all, what better scenario is there to transition in a young OF then an older veteran guy, who is easily replacable, that is on the last year of his contract?
And winn is having a pretty solid season. There isn’t even the smallest shred of evidence that he is declining, nothing whatsoever. The problem with fans like you is that think the only solution is to go get the biggest name that they know from sportcenter. A 300ish hitter that can run and switch hit, and play every outfield spot, and bat second and fit perfectly is precisely what the Mets need.
“The idea Winn is starting to grow on me. He is signed through ‘09, which means he helps make a run this year. Allows the FO to focus on pitching and 1B in the offseason. Then at some point next year, they can possibly start transitioning from Winn to FMart in left.”
Wonderfully said. I didn’t want Winn when I first heard his name in May, but the more I think about it the more sense it does make. Bat 2nd, switch hit, play anywhere in the OF, add some speed, steal some bags, not great but a solid player to fill a hole.
PLEASE do not trade this kid. PLEASE.
F Mart is not going to be traded. Omar is well too aware of the Kazmir backlash.
“Martinez is batting .298 with 18 extra base hits, four stolen bases and 21 RBI, while striking out 48 times in 51 games for Double-A”
I keep hearing whispers that Martinez could make it to Shea this year. I hope not. This guy is nowhere near ready for the majors. He’s not even ready for AAA.
I have a hard time understanding the hype on this kid. The only positive attribute you ever hear is that “he’s young!”. As far as I can tell, he hasn’t shown anything yet. Teenage Hitting Machine? More like Teenage Whiffing Machine.
That was cute. And ill-informed.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle
“That was cute. And ill-informed.”
Its amazing isn’t it. How many people act like the understand baseball when they dont. And the attempts at wit here are embarrasing. Anybody that doesn’t see something special in a guy with all the tools that has held his own for 2 years as a teenage in AA, just because he hasn’t hit for power yet, is not an intelligent baseball mind.
“The stupid kid isn’t growing fast enough! What the hell is his problem!”
I would like for somebody to show me a player who played AA as a teenage and showed a great batting eye and special power before his 20th birthday.
.298 for a 19 year old at AA is nothing to sneeze at.
Maybe not.
But for all the hype surrounding this kid, I’ll sniffle…
I know comparisons only go so far, but consider another 19 yr old child prodigy. This one had a .421 SLG to match a .333 OBP in A Ball. That was Miguel Cabrera. Cabrera did hit 53 XBH, while FMart is on pace to hit 43 in the same number of AB. But this is at one full level higher, and often considered to be the biggest jump in the minors. As for the K rate, lets see how it develops over the second half.
Give the kid a chance- how many of you wouldve dumped Pelfrey after last year?
Miguel Cabrera… does that mean F-Mart is predetermined to get fat? :)
I would not have dumped him. Too live an arm to do that.
It’s been known that Fernando will be a strikeout machine, but it’s his ability to put the ball in the gap and drive in runs that matters. His speed will take a back seat to his power.
Tony Bernazard = Karl Rove of the Mets.
if fmart could have been up here but for missing 60 games, then fmart could be up here anyway. 60 games does not a major league hitter make.
if we’re not gonna make a move and won’t try pascucci or some other AAAA ballplayer, why not see what fmart can do? the “we can’t expose them to shea and the medi we’ll ruin them!” argument kinda falls flat after watching pelfrey suddenly shape up.
Not really, it doesn’t. Look at Pelfrey for what he is. He’s more confident, working with a different pitching coach, and has been getting steady work every 5 days.
That couldn’t have been done in New Orleans with Dan Warthen last year? Or the year before?
is that Bernazard’s way of saying FMart will be a September call up? roughly 60 games.
I love this “if he didn’t get hurt” statement.
This is right out of the Omar playbook:
1) Alou,hurt his entire career-800+gms.missed due
to injury BEFORE we sign him at 40 but he’ll be o.k..
2)Castillo,a “Slap & Speed’player whos lost 2/3 steps,gained 30/40lbs has bad knees and a worse hip but he’ll be o.k.etc.
We get too caught up on the numbers. What I want to know is can this kid hit a 95mph fastball and cover an 85 mph curve/slider in the same at bat.
Lastings Milledge is a great example. Once he faced a major league slider he looked lost. if you can hit a fastball your numbers are going to be highly bloated and doesn’t mean you are anywhere near ready to face mlb pitching. A guy with a .298 avg could be a 100 times more ready than a guy with a .333 avg. It all depends on his ability to recognize pitches and hit off speed stuff. Just because FMart hasn’t proven he can hit .400 in a fastball dominated league doesn’t mean jack.
Very well said. You are in the 3 percent of Metsblog that has an understanding for the game. And some patience and rationale. Bravo. Nice to see once in a while/.
Well, no, he can’t.
Because if he hits the 95 mph heater, he will hopefully be rounding the bases instead of seeing more pitches ;)
Good post though.
at the very least, i want to see fernando martinez get some ABs in september.
id like to see him on the plan the yankees used for alfonso soriano back in the early 2000s.
in 1999, they got him 10 at bats in a september stint with the team to get him accustomed to major league ball.
in 2000, he got 50 at bats as a stop-gap ( a la nick evans, carlos gomez) and in september.
in 2001, he started 158 games….
lets give the kid some time- its unrealistic to expect him to contribute until 2010.
Great post, Eli. This kid is young, he’s going to fill out (increasing power) and he’s going to get better. Don’t rush it. We should have eyes on F-Mart joining the big league team some time in 09, and if he lights it up then maybe he sticks for good… otherwise, the Soriano plan sounds like the way to go.
Soriano was also 23 when he stepped foot on a major league Diamond.
At this point despite the most homerific glasses being worn on Martinez, 2010 is a HUGELY optimistic to consider him making an impact.
People keep pointing out that he is only 19, he is only 19.
True true true, but other than his first stint in low A ball, his numbers have been underwhelming.
WHY won’t this guy (Bernazard) just keep his mouth shut?
Unless were trying to build up his trade value.
I’ve seen enough of this kid in person for the past 2 yrs to
tell you HE WON’T be MLB ready until 2010 at best.
The kid can’t kid ANY type of breaking or off-speed pitch
and physically lloks like a19y/o.
AS for him being a 5 tool player, I DON’T THINK SO!
Average speed, Average arm & is more a corner OFer.
Also hasn’t shown much power but again he still needs to
mature phyically.Anyway with this Bernazard,heres hoping
someone will give this guy a GM job so we can get rid of him,
his constant leaking to the press and backstabbing.
Remember that with Alou being on the DL, we get a free shot at replacing him on any possible postseason roster with anyone on the 40 as of Aug 31. So the key re F-Mart is (a) does he go to NO for the 2nd half, and (b) is he slipped on to the 40 man roster before 8/31. If he is, then they’re planning on bringing him up for October.
None of that matters because theres no way this kid is
ready to contribute anytime soon to a winning team.
If we were the Royals you might rush the kid up late
in the season but this kid would be completely out-classed
on the MLB level now.
If you were the Royals, would you trade Jose Guillen and Soria for Maine?
Wow!, a fans trade suggestion which actually makes sense for both teams. I’m not sure you are
allowed to do that. I really like Maine, he’s young,cheap & already has something of a track
record.Guillen does make one nervous becauce of
his track record wearing out welcomes every yr. or two. But this does make ALOT of sense not just for
us but for them. As opposed to oh,Holliday for a bag
of balls and a player to be named later.
How does that make sense? The Mets are at best a .500 team if we’re counting on Pelfrey (Young, still learning), Perez (Inconsistant), Martinez (Hasnt looked good, at all) and a Vargas type to man 4/5 of our rotation. There’s no way the Mets can afford to deal a good starter.
Especially for someone like Guillen who is a textbook cancer.
That is a great bit of prognostication by Tony Bernazard, nothing like proclaiming the utterly unproveable.
This guy really has got to go. This kid Martinez hasn’t been
able to handle off-speed stuff from non-prospect AA pitchers yet BUT hes gonna come in and contribute to
a team trying to win a championship? In New York?
He should stick with what he does best, stabbing Managers and Coaches in the back!
You guys are so funny. You know literally nothing about Bernazard as a scout, yet you heard he was mean to Willie so you dont listen to what he says. So stupid. Almost beyond comprehension.