Martin Lewis Joins Hawk Rotation
José Gutiérrez To Shift to Bullpen
by Caitlen Sullivan
Halifax Chronicle Herald Sports Editor
January 1, 2025
Starting Pitcher Martin Lewis
When the Hawks recently disclosed that Daniel Jordan would be given a shot to join the team’s rotation for next season, it was a tacit admission that the rotation needed improvement. While Jordan’s success depends on his development, yesterday the Hawks front office held a press conference to announce the acquisition of free agent Martin Lewis[/center] that should most definitely help the situation. Lewis, known affectionately as “Bulldog” by his teammates, has seven years of experience in the MBWBA with Tucson where the 29-year-old won 67 games over the past five seasons. Last year was his arguably his best with a 17-10 record and an ERA of 3.90 and a WAR of 3.7. He had recorded a WAR in the 4.0’s in 2020, 2021, and 2022, but he failed to post a win-loss record as impressive as last season. Lewis is expected to be number three in the rotation behind Sancho Delgado and Domingo Castillo.
At the same press conference, the Hawks announced that José Gutiérrez would be shifted from the rotation to the bullpen where he could contend for a closer or setup role. José has been mostly a starter with the Hawks save for some bullpen duty in 2023. He has embraced the conversion and is working with team coaches during the off season to perfect the pitches he will use in relief.
The Hawks acquired two others from the free agent ranks:
- Outfielder Barry Allen will get a shot to replace Lightnin Hopkins in center field. Hopkins is rated a slightly better defender, but Allen gets higher ratings offensively. That said, Allen managed to hit only ..194 last year with Des Moines while Hopkins checked in at .223 with the Hawks. If Allen can return to his .275 form from 2023, he has a chance to win a regular job.
- With not much depth behind last year’s catchers Elroy Hinson and Juan Jose Torres, the Hawks signed 28-year-old David O’Sullivan to a one year guaranteed deal with a team option for another year. O’Sullivan has only 113 games major league experience and none since 2022, and his average for those big league games was well under .200. He is likely to be stationed at Montgomery in AAA for potential use in case of injuries to the top two.
