Report: Dodgers, Cardinals discussing Jose Martinez trade

The Los Angeles Dodgers and St. Louis Cardinals are reportedly discussing a trade that would send first baseman/outfielder Jose Martinez to L.A., according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.

Not known for his defense, Martinez would become the Dodgers' first baseman, shifting Max Muncy to second base and Cody Bellinger to center field.

After the addition of Paul Goldschmidt, Martinez has an even more arduous path to playing time with the Cardinals despite having a reliable bat. Over 152 games, the righty-swinging Martinez posted a .305/.364/.457 slash line with 17 home runs in 2018. Putting Martinez in right field, where he would be a defensive liability, also doesn't seem like an option, with Marcell Ozuna, Dexter Fowler, Harrison Bader, and Tyler O'Neill all jockeying for jobs.

Martinez, 30, is still pre-arbitration, and will not be eligible to reach free agency until after the 2022 season.

The 28-year-old Muncy played 13 regular-season games at second base last year, but shifted to the keystone multiple times during the postseason.

Meanwhile, after winning the National League Rookie of the Year Award in 2017 while playing first, Bellinger took on a utility role in 2018, appearing in 78 games (50 starts) in center field.