Braves pick up Martin for bullpen

By Kevin Goldstein
July 31, 2004

With the free-spending days of Ted Turner a thing of the past, the Braves settled for making a minor trade Saturday. They acquired Tom Martin from the Dodgers for high Class A lefthander Matt Merricks. Atlanta also received cash to offset the remainder of Martin's $1.4 million salary.

Martin, a 34-year-old lefthander, has been somewhat of a disappointment this season after a strong 2003. He's 0-1, 4.13 in 47 games, with an uninspiring 18-14 strikeout-walk ratio in 28 innings. Opponents are batting .291 (up from .198 a year ago) with three homers. Martin relies on a darting fastball in the 90s, as his curveball and changeup are mostly just for show. Atlanta hopes he can become its primary lefty setup man for John Smoltz. Martin has a 9-8, 4.81 record and three saves in 249 big league appearances.

Merricks, 21, was a 2000 sixth-round pick out of a California high school. He began 2004 at Double-A Greenville but struggled and was demoted to high Class A Myrtle Beach. He has gone a combined 6-6, 3.68 in 19 games (17 starts), with a 94-34 K-BB ratio in 95 innings. Opponents have hit .244 with eight homers against him. Though he's just 5-foot-11, Merricks generates plenty of velocity. He can dial his fastball up to 95 mph on occasion and he also flashes a plus changeup. His breaking ball has consistently lagged behind his other pitches, and questions about his maturity have dogged him. Merricks' career record is 22-31, 3.58 in 84 minor league games.