Leonys Martin might be a possible trade target

The Chicago Cubs are reportedly looking for help in the outfield and while no new names have been explored in recent hours, the team is still quite active as they are trying to bolster their options looking towards the 2015 season. The team has explored several possible additions to their outfield mix and they have been linked to the likes of Ben Revere and free agent Jonny Gomes. However, one player that would make a lot of sense, according to Cubs Den, is current Texas Rangers’ outfielder Leonys Martin.

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Martin checks a lot of boxes in terms of what the Cubs are looking to add to their outfield mix. He is quite versatile as he can play the three outfield spots – including a very solid defense in center field – so he could be used as a late defensive replacement. Last year with the Rangers, he posted a 2.2 dWAR in 152 games – evidence of his skill with the glove. To go along with that leather, Martin also showcases his speed on both sides of the ball. Over the course of the past two seasons, he has racked up 67 stolen bases – while being caught 21 times.

The 26-year-old Martin doesn’t offer a lot of veteran leadership but he would certainly add some versatility to the outfield. His splits are notoriously better against right-handers (.725 OPS against a poor .581 OPS against southpaws) and while he doesn’t walk a lot, he does enough to get on base at an acceptable clip (.337 against right-handed pitchers). He could be inserted at the top of the lineup against right-handers while being used as a bench player when there’s a lefty on the mound.

His seven home runs and 13 doubles during the 2014 season aren’t very appealing but he has seven triples so he can certainly make something happen with his legs. His above-average baserunning, solid defensive ability and positional versatility would be traits that the Cubs could certainly welcome off the bench if he’s made available by the Rangers.

If he’s not available in trade, then it might be possible that the Cubs end up with no more significant additions to an outfield mix that already features the likes of Jorge Soler, Arismendy Alcantara, Chris Coghlan, Junior Lake, Ryan Sweeney and Matt Szczur. However, with reports the team is potentially talking with Texas about Welington Castillo, Martin could be a name that surfaces in the weeks to come.

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