Leonys Martin won the biggest battle of his life during the 2018 Major League Baseball season. Now the Cleveland Indians center fielder will have another opportunity to show off his skills in the outfield.
Martin and the Indians agreed to a one-year deal worth $3 million on this Halloween evening. Cleveland acquired Martin from the division rival Detroit Tigers on July 31.
Leonys Martin homered in his first two games at Progressive Field as an Indian.
We have agreed to a 1-year contract with the outfielder to avoid arbitration.
Looking forward to having you back out on the field, @leonys27martin!#RallyTogether pic.twitter.com/t5wlT0VIcn
— Cleveland Indians (@Indians) October 31, 2018
Martin only appeared in just six games for the Indians before a bacterial infection ended his season and nearly cost him his life.
Cleveland is in desperate need of some depth in the outfield for the 2019 season. The Indians could lose as many as four outfielders from the 2018 American League championship squad including All-Star Michael Brantley.
Indians announce that they have agreed to terms on a one-year deal with center fielder Leonys Martin, avoiding arbitration. More soon.
— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) October 31, 2018
Martin came to the Tribe to play center field after Bradley Zimmer was lost for the season due to right shoulder surgery. Zimmer is expected to miss half of the 2019 season.
The Martin deal is a huge indication he is on the mend from the life threatening illness. The signing completes the first of eight arbitration potential cases for the Indians this off season.
From the @Indians Leonys Martin has agreed to terms on a one year deal for 2019, thus avoiding arbitration
— .@JohnTelich8 (@JohnTelich8) October 31, 2018
In the six games with the tribe, Martin hit .333 with two home runs and four runs batted in. For the 2018 season between Detroit and Cleveland, he hit .255 with eleven home runs and 33 runs batted in. Martin also stole seven bases with the Tigers. He did not steal a base with the Indians.
Martin is a career .248 hitter with 49 home runs and 209 runs batted in. Martin also has 122 career stolen bases.
Leonys has played for five Major League Baseball teams. His career began with the Texas Rangers. He also played for the Seattle Mariners and Chicago Cubs before his days in Detroit and Cleveland.
Scott Piker is the Cleveland Browns, Cleveland Cavaliers and Cleveland Indians Managing Editor for Full Press Coverage.com. So follow him on twitter @ScottPikerSport
