John Martinez

[Joe430000]

Why did Windy City give up on Martinez so soon? I know he was struggling, but last season he won 16 games ( I think ).

[Paintsfan]

I know. That just boggles my mind. How could a guy who won a record 16 games last season not make it past his second start this season?

I heard some people say that he was fat and wasn't trying. LOL, are you kidding me? He looked fine to me when I saw a picture of him in a T-Bolts uniform. It's obvious that the Paints won out on that blockbuster deal, supposedly the biggest blockbuster in the history of league. Wow.

[Joe430000]

How did he look last season with the Paints?

With 16 wins you would begin to think he might have a chance at getting back to higher level ball.

[Thorp]

How old was this pitcher? Who did he get traded to?

[Paintsfan]

How old was this pitcher? Who did he get traded to?

Martinez's status is a 2-year guy. He will be a veteran next season.

Here's the blockbuster trade in a nutshell. This happened during Spring Training:

Windy City Thunderbolts got:
SP John Martinez

Chillicothe Paints got:
INF Travis Garcia

The story behind the trade:
John Martinez won a record 16 games last season as a member of the Chillicothe Paints. He was the ace of their pitching staff in 2005. He was very dominant and very impressive. He fell so far down this year and is currently unemployed. However, I don't think this was all his fault. Just 2 bad starts doesn't prove anything at all yet. I wonder why nobody is taking a gamble on him.

Travis Garcia was a big star for the defunct Ohio Valley Redcoats in 2005. He made the All-Star squad that season. When the Redcoats closed up camp (for the time being, as they are searching for a new home now) Garcia went to the T-Bolts in a draft. After being traded to Chillicothe, he has flourished and is one of the biggest bats in the Paints' lineup. Personally, I enjoy what Travis brings to the table. He's a solid guy to have to back up John Ramistella and others.

[frontier4life]

To correct this thread, John Martinez was released after 4 bad starts. He was 0-4 and the team was 3-13. Reports are that he showed up out of shape and was not ready for the season. If this trade occurred after Chillicothe had already seen him in Spring Training, they got a tremendous steal with Travis Garcia. Martinez was a very successful pitcher last year, but was never overpowering. He didn't throw harder than 85 mph and relied on hitting his spots and a good cut fastball. If someone of this ability didn't do anything over the offseason, it's no big surprise he was released and that nobody is taking a gamble on him.

[Thorp]

Was he just not in shape? A pitcher doesn't have to have velocity to be a great pitcher. Look at Maddux. If he was hitting his spots and having a great year,last year, this sounds strange. Any other issues?

[Joe430000]

Thanks for the information Paints fan. Great post.

[wildcat000]

I talked to the Windy City pitching coach (former Florence pitching coach) when they came into town. He showed up out of shape, and never showed any aspiration to get back into shape. I think he was very unhappy about the trade, and never gave it 100%. Martinez retired after being cut, that is why no one has signed him.

[Thorp]

Sorry to hear this. As a player you must work out every day,even out of season. Maybe things will change for him in off season. Never sell anyone short.

[Paintsfan]

The Paints are going to sign John Martinez back to their club. Well, it looks like Chillicothe is going to take that gamble. Apparently, they've been in conversations with him since John left Windy City.

Also, the Paints cleaned house by releasing Shane Beans, Jaziel Mendoza, Jake Hines and Jeff Funaro. I really, really don't like the release of Funaro. He brought leadership behind the plate and well, we just don't know how effective Jeff Parrish can really be. They intend to sign C/IF Eddie Gonzalez and outfielder Leo Grullon, former River City Rascals. Also, along with them and Martinez will be rookie outfielder Dan Sellers form Virginia Wesleyan University.

:confused:

[Thorp]

what caused so much house cleaning now?

[Joe430000]

I think Martinez is going to make Windy City wish they gave him a better chance and Chillicothe's gamble is going to payoff big.

[Thorp]

Why was he released/traded anyway?

[frontier4life]

not saying he won't pitch decent, but it does seem that Chillicothe is a very favorable park for pitchers to pitch in. That turf is really, really slow and it's not going to take any bad hops. Look at the difference in team ERA between Chillicothe and the rest of the league. Now if you can provide me with stats showing their ERA is the same on the road as it is at home I will eat crow! :)

[Joe430000]

Martinez has supported all of us who questioned Windy City.

4-0 1.42 era .95 whip and a .215 opp avg, are great numbers no matter where you are pitching.