The dream has ended for the Mets. It's sad since that dream did not really get a chance to blossom. But with the waiving of once highly touted prospect Fernando Martinez, the organization can finally move past what has become a pipe dream.

Signed by Omar Minaya back in 2005 at the age of 16, Fernando was seen as the next great thing, twice being listed as the organization's top prospect by Baseball America. But ever since that point his status within the organization has been on the decline. After an outstanding 2008 season in which he split time between rookie ball and the AA team (hitting .292 and an OPS of .785 along with 8 HR and 43 RBI in 90 games), his skills began to diminish noticeably. Martinez was finally called up during mid-season but was unimpressive during his short 29 game stint in the majors. In 100 plate appearances, Fernando hit just .176 and an .517 OPS with 1 home run and 8 runs batted in. His minor league statistics fared much better (.290 batting average, .877 OPS 8 homers but just 28 RBI's in only 45 games).

Injuries truly began to catch up with Martinez in the 2010 season. Again making a very brief appearance in the majors (only 7 games), he simply could not stay on the field on a consistent basis, and was unimpressive when he was, compiling a .254 batting average with an OPS of .765.

2011 wasn't much better for the former can't miss prospect. Again he missed significant time with a combination of injuries, including a right hamstring strain which has caused him to miss a total of 64 games over the course of three seasons. Hitting .260 and notching a rather mediocre .746 OPS combined with another 8 home runs and 30 RBI's.

It is upsetting to see someone who is still so very young be cut loose without any compensation but because of the chronic injuries and the reported arthritic knees, the move should come as no surprise to Met fans who simply grew tired of waiting for the former blue chip prospect. His talent is still there but there is simply no question that the brightest star in organization has fallen.

UPDATE:
On Wednesday, January 11th Fernando was claimed by the Houston Astros. Read More...

Fernando Martinez catches a lot of flack from Mets fans... I've heard comments about how he is "finished" or he was never that good to begin with. Frankly all these fans are dead wrong, this looks to be a BIG breakout year for Fernando. Martinez, who just turned 22, is on the same level as your average college senior, and if a recently drafted college senior slugged a respectable .455 at AAA the baseball world would be in a tizzy over him. In 116 games in AAA, Fernando has hit 20 home runs, slugged .490 and has an OPS over .810. Fernando has shown there has been no hiccups in his development, just nagging injuries that have slowed his rapid ascent but have not robbed him of his talent in the least bit. Fernando is still a 5 tool prospect who has immense power potential and while his speed has not necessarily translated to stolen bases he is a smart base runner with a good quick burst. To all the naysayers...Fernando's 2010 was very similar to Colby Rasmus' 2008 when he was just 21 with similar minor league experience. Mets' fans, I implore you not to give up on Fernando, before he ends up like Carlos Gonzalez. Read More...

As it was members of this blog who broke the news to Metsblog regarding the injury to Mets' top prospect Fernando Martinez, it is only appropriate we provide with our injury report.  In Wednesday night's game in Binghamton, Martinez strained his right hamstring running to second. Martinez claimed to hear just a little pop and was moving quite gingerly with a significant limp. 

A number of different sites are reporting that the Mets may have moved into the driver's seat in the Johan Santana sweepstakes. The Minneapolis Star Tribune reported last night that the Twins are interested in the Mets recent offer for Santana.

The Mets' original offer included Carlos Gomez, Deolis Guerra, Kevin Mulvey and Phillip Humber. The Twins however were interested in Fernando Martinez as well, whom they stated could "seal the deal". The Mets seem prepared to offer Martinez in addition to the above mentioned prospects.

Metsblog is also reporting that Mets owner Fred Wilpon is willing to meet Santana's contract demands if a deal can be made.

This coupled with the Yankees announcement that they are no longer pursuing Santana, makes the mets the most likely team for Santana in 2008.

This is probably the closest the Mets have ever been to landing Santana. Keep your fingers crossed.
Read More...

Fernando Martinez's season with the Binghamton Mets is over.

Martinez, the B-Mets' 18-year-old center fielder who is considered one of the New York Mets top prospects, will miss the rest of the regular season because of the hand injury that has sidelined him since June.

"He's done for the season," B-Mets manager Mako Oliveras said before Tuesday's game against the Trenton Thunder at NYSEG Stadium.

Martinez, whom Baseball America ranked as the No. 2 prospect in the Mets organization, has been on the disabled list since June 27 with what the team has called a right-hand contusion.

In 60 games with the B-Mets this season, Martinez hit .271 with four home runs and 21 RBI. He recorded hits in his last five games with the B-Mets before being placed on the disabled list.

(Submitted by Marc Nash)

Another one bites the dust. It's always tough to see one of the young prospects go down like this, because you never know how they are going to respond to the injury. A simple injury could hinder a player's growth and advancement. Here's hoping Mr. Martinez comes back as stong as ever next year, and remains the "5 tool" stud that he was projected to be. Read More...