Over the course of the season, we’ll take a look at the trades the Twins made last year, both major and minor. Today we begin with the most minor trade of 2012: future considerations to the Pirates for pitcher Shairon Martis.
March 9, 2011; Ft. Myers, FL, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Shairon Martis (66) throws during the bottom of the second inning of a spring training game against the Boston Red Sox at Jet Blue Park. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
With PJ Walters recently placed on the DL and Brian Duensing forced to start games, the Twins were about to insert Cole DeVries and Sam Deduno into the rotation. Starting pitching depth was in shambles throughout the organization, and the Twins agreed on June 27 to send cash or a player to be named later to the Pirates for right-hander Shairon Martis. This deal was all about organizational depth.
Martis came to the Twins with MLB experience under his belt with the Nationals in 2008 and 2009, but is best known for pitching a no-hitter for the Netherlands against Panama in the 2006 World Baseball Classic. After regressing in the Washington system from AAA in 2010 to AA in 2011, he signed on with the Pirates and was promptly handed over to the Twins a few months later for next to nothing.
Martis pitched in AA and AAA last year after the trade, and has made one start at Rochester so far this season after a spring training invite and this year’s WBC. His numbers have not been impressive. Still, Martis provides rotation depth at AAA, allowing the Twins to take their time in bringing along legitimate starting pitching prospects. And since the trade ended up being for cash, the Twins didn’t even have to give up a player.
So who won the trade? The Twins, I suppose. I don’t know how much cash Minnesota gave up for Martis, but he does provide some indirect organizational value in the big scheme of things, and that’s certainly worth a few bucks. Then again, there is also value to be had at McDonalds for a few bucks, so take that for what it’s worth.
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