Martinez deal leaves Indians reeling

Teammates had heard the rumors but it was still a shock to see the popular team leader out the door.

By DENNIS MANOLOFF

THE Plain Dealer

CLEVELAND — The Indians’ pregame clubhouse at Progressive Field typically is quiet. It was especially so Friday afternoon — save for the sound of hands slapping backs.

Catcher Victor Martinez said goodbye to his teammates, the Indians having traded him to Boston.

Because rumors of Martinez’s departure had been swirling, his teammates were not shocked. But the realization that the immensely popular Martinez officially was out the door hit hard.

Martinez signed with the Cleveland organization in 1996 as a teenager from Venezuela. He had said he hoped to play his entire career with the Indians.

“Any time one of your teammates gets traded, it’s sad,” Indians right-hander Jake Westbrook said. “And Victor is special. It’s disappointing. He’s a wonderful teammate and a great person. I can’t say enough about him as a baseball player, but I think the things he gave to this clubhouse and this organization off the field were even greater. That tells you how good of a player he is.”

Westbrook and Martinez began working together in Cleveland in 2003.

“We had a great relationship from the start, and it only got better,” Westbrook said. “He’s one of those guys you enjoy being around, not only as a teammate but as a friend. He always keeps you in good spirits and always is there to help you get better.”

The departure of Martinez meant the Tribe parted ways with its All-Star from this season and its Cy Young from last season in three days. Left-hander Cliff Lee, along with outfielder Ben Francisco, went to Philadelphia on Wednesday.

“Losing your ace and your leader behind the plate definitely is tough,” center fielder Grady Sizemore said. “But you’ve got to deal with it.”

The Indians, who entered Friday’s game against Detroit with a record of 42-60, held options on Martinez and Lee for 2010.

“When a team’s not performing, and guys are coming to the end of their contracts, you know this kind of thing might happen,” Sizemore said.

Sizemore joined Martinez in the Tribe lineup for a part of 2004.

“Victor’s great for the pitchers, but he’s also a team leader,” Sizemore said. “He was a big part of our engine. We all enjoyed playing with him.”

From June 27 until the non-waiver trade deadline of 4 p.m. Friday, the Indians unloaded six major-leaguers. Lee, Francisco and Martinez joined Mark DeRosa (St. Louis), Rafael Betancourt (Colorado) and Ryan Garko (San Francisco).

“Things unraveled on us, and we got to the stage where something needed to be done,” Westbrook said. “When you see a lot of guys get traded, it’s tough. You also know it’s part of the game. I learned very fast that baseball is a business. I was traded three times before I was 23.

“It doesn’t make it any easier to see this, though.”

Two years ago, Westbrook, Sizemore and Martinez were busy helping the Indians win 96 games and the AL Central. The Tribe beat the Yankees in a division series and held a 3-1 lead over Boston in the ALCS before folding.

Last year, the Indians slipped to 81-81. Now this.

“Two years ago, we were in the postseason, and now we’re kind of getting torn apart,” Sizemore said. “You never know what’s going to happen in this game.”