(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers once again shocked everyone by acquiring another former all-star Dodger, this time being Russell Martin.
The Los Angeles Dodgers made one of the most shocking moves of the entire 2017-2018 offseason by acquiring former Dodger Matt Kemp.
What was even more shocking was Kemp’s subsequent production. Kemp played his way to start in the All-Star Game, was named the Comeback Player of the Year, was in MVP discussions as late as July and hit a home run over the Green Monster in his first career World Series at-bat.
He eventually was removed from the everyday lineup because of a cooling bat and bad defense but he still had an impact down the stretch; his two game-winning hits off Archie Bradley were some of the most important hits of the entire season.
Kemp was traded to the Cincinnati Reds alongside Yasiel Puig, Alex Wood and Kyle Farmer before the turn of the calendar. Thus, the Dodgers front office had to go out and get another former Dodger all-star: Russell Martin.
The Dodgers acquired Martin from the Toronto Blue Jays for minor leaguers Ronny Brito and Andrew Sopko. Toronto also sent cash considerations, which paid for $16.4 million of the $20 million that Martin was owed this season.
Nobody really expects Martin to be this year’s Matt Kemp but there is value in bringing Martin in as a stopgap option to play alongside Austin Barnes.
In fact, we think that Russell Martin’s 2019 will be surprising to a lot of fans. Here are three bold predictions for his year back in Dodger blue.
Source: “Los Angeles” – Google News