Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Braves acquire Martin from Texas to bolster pen

Written by 
Published in Baseball
Tuesday, 30 July 2019 19:27

ARLINGTON, Texas -- The National League East-leading Atlanta Braves have acquired reliever Chris Martin from the Texas Rangers for minor league pitcher Kolby Allard.

Texas announced the deal during its game Tuesday night, just moments after Martin was seen high-fiving teammates in the bullpen before leaving down the tunnel.

Martin was 0-2 with four saves and a 3.08 ERA in 38 appearances. The 33-year-old right-hander has allowed only three earned runs over his past 19 games, since May 24. The 6-foot-8 Martin has 24 strikeouts and only one walk in 18⅔ innings over that span for his hometown Rangers.

"I know he might not be as well-known as the [other available relievers] with longer track records and careers, but we felt [Martin] had as much upside as anybody in the trade market, in terms of a late-inning pen arm," Braves general manager Alex Anthopoulos said on a conference call. "He's obviously gotten a chance to close some games for the Rangers. He's done [that] in Japan. His numbers speak for themselves.

"[He's a] strike thrower, very good stuff, good velocity, and someone we think can really emerge for us at the back end of the bullpen. [Manager Brian Snitker] will make the decision in terms of roles, and that's what I told Chris. He told me he has no problem [how he's used] -- he just wants to help the team. We felt like, of the options that were out there, when you factor in all of it, we think there's pretty big upside to Chris."

Martin has the best strikeout-to-walk ratio of any pitcher to throw at least 30 innings this season, according to ESPN Stats & Information research. The Braves' bullpen has struggled with walks all season, as it ranks 29th in MLB in walk rate at 11%.

Atlanta assumes the remaining $737,903 of Martin's $2.25 million salary. He has earned $100,000 in bonuses for 15 games finished, would get another $50,000 for finishing 20, and $100,000 each for finishing 25, 30, 35 and 40 games.

"I've got a couple of texts after the game about him, and everything's really positive," Snitker said. "People really like this guy, so he'll be a big addition for us."

Allard, a 21-year-old lefty, was the 14th overall pick by the Braves in the 2015 amateur draft. He was 7-5 with a 4.17 ERA in 20 starts this season for Triple-A Gwinnett. The Rangers assigned him to Triple-A Nashville.

In 2018, Allard appeared in three games with the Braves, going 1-1 with a 12.38 ERA in eight innings.

Anthopoulos said it's impossible to say whether the Braves are done dealing.

"We can improve in our rotation, we can improve offensively, we can improve in the bullpen. I'm not trying to be cryptic or vague here, but because we can improve the club in so many ways, we're not so specific in terms of a position," Anthopoulos said. "If there's a player out there that we like, that the acquisition cost makes sense, we'll pursue it."

Information from ESPN's Eddie Matz and The Associated Press was used in this report.

Read 353 times

Soccer

Kane berates England teammates after 8 pullouts

Kane berates England teammates after 8 pullouts

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsHarry Kane has warned his England teammates that country should com...

Deschamps on Mbappé: 'Please leave him alone'

Deschamps on Mbappé: 'Please leave him alone'

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsEven when he is not there for France, the focus remains on Kylian M...

Kimmich on Saudi WC vote: Players aren't experts

Kimmich on Saudi WC vote: Players aren't experts

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsGermany players should stand for values as role models in society b...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Lakers C Hayes sidelined with left ankle sprain

Lakers C Hayes sidelined with left ankle sprain

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsLOS ANGELES -- The Lakers' already depleted frontline just got a li...

Sixers sit Embiid, George for second leg of B2B

Sixers sit Embiid, George for second leg of B2B

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsPhiladelphia 76ers stars Joel Embiid and Paul George will miss Wedn...

Baseball

Guardians, AL Central champions, tweak staff

Guardians, AL Central champions, tweak staff

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsCLEVELAND -- Guardians manager Stephen Vogt made some tweaks to Cle...

Bans remain for Bad Bunny agency execs, agent

Bans remain for Bad Bunny agency execs, agent

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNEW YORK -- An arbitrator upheld five-year suspensions of the chief...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated