The New York Yankees have signed a promising Cuban outfielder to a free agent contract.
Ernesto Martinez Jr. Inked a minor league deal with the Yanks on Friday with an invite to big league spring training, according to insider Francys Romero.
Martinez is 26 years old and hasn't quite made his MLB debut yet.
Over the past five minor league seasons, Martinez has hit.270 with an average of 17 home runs and 77 RBI per 144 games, according to Romero.
Romero adds that Martinez has put up an OPS above.800 and has "elite exit velocity, plus defense, arm strength, and explosiveness on the bases."
Certainly sounds like the kind of guy you want on your roster.
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The Yankees have a lot of hitting depth, so it could be tough for Martinez to break through.
Romero added in his report that Martinez's contract includes two opt-out clauses, in June and July, that would allow him to pursue an MLB opportunity elsewhere if he doesn't get called up to the Yankees by then.
Martinez is a huge dude, a lefty slugger listed at 6-foot-6 and 245 pounds.
He'll turn 27 in June.
The Yankees may already be looking for a spot to play Spencer Jones in 2026. For Martinez to play, too, it might require a couple injuries.
But the Yanks seem to have found a bat with some upside. It'll be fun to see if they can tap into it.
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