In a move that’s raising eyebrows across the baseball world, the Chicago Cubs have signed right-hander Corbin Martin to a minor league deal. But here’s where it gets intriguing: this isn’t just any minor league signing. Martin, a former top prospect whose career has been derailed by injuries, is getting another shot to prove himself—and the Cubs are betting on his untapped potential. Marquee’s Lance Brozdowski broke the news, confirming the 30-year-old will likely receive a non-roster invite to MLB spring training.
Martin’s journey has been a rollercoaster. After bouncing on and off the Baltimore Orioles’ roster in 2025, he logged just 18 innings, surrendering 15 runs (12 earned). Despite this, his career ERA dipped slightly to 6.54 over 75 2/3 innings across four seasons. At Triple-A Norfolk, his struggles continued with a 5.82 ERA in 34 appearances. His strikeout rate (22.5%) was decent, but his walk rate (13.6%) was alarmingly high.
And this is the part most people miss: Martin was once a highly touted second-round pick by the Houston Astros, later traded to the Diamondbacks in the Zack Greinke blockbuster deal. Injuries, however, have been his Achilles’ heel. Tommy John surgery in 2019 and a torn lat tendon in 2023 sidelined him for significant stretches. His control, once a strength in the minors, has become his biggest liability at higher levels, with walk rates exceeding 12% in both the majors and Triple-A.
The Cubs, however, see something worth salvaging. Martin’s fastball sits in the 95-96 MPH range, and he pairs it with a slider and curveball—a toolkit that, in theory, could dominate batters. But here’s the catch: to earn a spot in Craig Counsell’s bullpen, he’ll need to command the strike zone far more consistently. Controversially, some analysts argue that Martin’s injury history and control issues make this a long-shot gamble. Others believe his raw talent could still pay dividends.
Adding to the complexity, Martin has exhausted his minor league options, meaning the Cubs must either keep him on the major league roster or risk losing him on waivers if they call him up. This deal is a low-risk, high-reward play for Chicago, but it’s also a last-chance opportunity for Martin to reignite his career.
What do you think? Is this a smart move by the Cubs, or are they setting themselves up for disappointment? Let us know in the comments—this is one signing that’s sure to spark debate!
