Tigers Trade Center Fielder Martin to the Tribe

Baseball's trade deadline is 4pm Tuesday July 31st, and the Tigers have made a deal with their division rival Cleveland Indians. 

Tigers' speedy center fielder Leonys Martin is headed to a contender.  The Tigers announced have sent Martin and right handed pitcher Kyle Dowdy to the Indians  in exchange for shortstop Willi Castro.

Martin, from Cuba,  signed as a free agent with the Tigers last December after stints with the Rangers, Mariners, and Cubs.   Despite being on the DL twice this, Martin has had a good season for the Tigers.  The 30 year old has played in 78 games, hitting .251 with 45 runs scored, 15 doubles, three triples, nine home runs and 29 RBI. He is currently tied for the American League lead with nine outfield assists.

Dowdy, 25, has split the 2018 season between Double A Erie and Triple A Toledo, compiling an 8-8 record with a 4.74 ERA (95.0IP/50ER) and 92 strikeouts.

Castro, 21, is ranked as Cleveland’s No. 8 prospect by MLB Pipeline, and was originally signed by the Indians in 2013. Through 97 games with Double A Akron this season, the switch-hitter carries a .245 (91x371) batting average with five home runs, 20 doubles, two triples and 39 RBI. Castro was named an Eastern League All-Star earlier this season.

Over five seasons in the Indians organization, the Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico native has posted a .263 (472x1795) average with 26 home runs, 182 RBI, 79 doubles and 19 triples. Castro was selected as an Indians’ organization All-Star by MiLB.com last season, and was named to the 2017 midseason and postseason Carolina League All-Star Team after leading Single A Lynchburg, and ranking second in the league with 136 hits, and recording career-bests with 11 home runs, 58 RBI and 69 runs scored.