Jose Martinez signs with Athletics

The Oakland Athletics have announced the signings of six minor league free agents, including former Astros farmhand Jose Martinez.

Martinez spent most of 2013 at AAA Oklahoma City, slashing .282/.316/.410 in 333 plate appearances for the RedHawks. The 27-year old infielder was originally signed by the Cardinals as a teenager and came to the Astros organization in 2012.

Predominantly a second-baseman, Martinez became a Free Agent last week. Martinez was deemed expendable as the Astros organization is fairly deep at the position. The club also recently added Ryan Jackson to fill the utility infield role at the big league level. Jackson, another Luhnow favorite, was claimed off waivers from St. Louis earlier this week.

Martinez, who is playing winter ball in his native Venezuela, figures to provide organizational depth for the A’s. Unlike last year’s Rule 5 addition Nate Freiman, I wouldn’t expect to see Martinez make an impact at the big league level this season. Oakland recently added Free Agent infielder Nick Punto to backup Jed Lowrie and company in the infield.