JOSE MARTINEZ MOVES TO TAMPA BAY
The Tampa Bay Rays acquired first baseman/outfielder Jose Martinez, outfielder Randy Arozarena and a supplemental first-round draft pick in 2020 from the St. Louis Cardinals for pitcher Matthew Liberatore, catcher Edgardo Rodriguez and a supplemental second-round draft pick in 2020.
What does it give the Tampa Bay Rays
This is a major swap in terms of both quality and quantity. Martinez is an excellent right-handed batter who mashes left-handed pitching. He can play the corner outfield positions as well as first base, so look for him to play as many as four positions (along with the DH role) in Tampa Bay this season. Arozarena is a decent outfield prospect as well and may compete for a roster spot in spring training. Lastly, the Rays also improved their draft pick situation in the Competitive Balance Round of the MLB Draft.
What does it give the St. Louis Cardinals
While Martinez is coming off a decent '19 campaign (.269 BA, 10 HR, 42 RBI), this trade looks like a steal for the Cardinals. In Liberatore, St. Louis adds one of the premier left-handed pitching prospects in all of baseball (he was ranked No. 3 among Rays prospects by Baseball America). In addition to Liberatore, the Cards also add a catching prospect in the 19-year-old Rodriguez from Venezuela. In the Competitive Balance Round of the '20 draft, St. Louis moves down from No. 38 overall to No. 66 overall.
Fantasy impact
Martinez can certainly hit but is he an everyday player? Probably not, especially now that he has gone to Tampa Bay (a team notorious for platooning players). Therefore, he should not be overrated on draft day. As for Liberatore, he should be drafted in all keeper leagues this year (if he is not an actual keeper in some league formats). His ceiling is very high. Arozarena and Rodriguez also have fantasy upside but neither should be drafted in 2020. Both should be on the fantasy radar for future keeper league analysis.
Player focus
St. Louis Cardinals
a supplemental second-round draft pick in 2020
