I think it is the speed thing that Lloyd likes in Marte: He's this years James Jones. Earlier this year, before he had played there, I was calling for Marte to get some CF time in Tacoma. I'm glad he's got it.
But he has to have a signifcantly better CF glove than Flores (for example) for him to be the better option, unless he's a .280+ hitter. I like the fact that he's a tough out (but the emphasis remains on "out" right now) and I like the flexibility he brings. Nobody has been more adamant about the M's lack of flexibility. With all that, he is a terrific Willie Bloomquist....one with speed.
Or Mark McLemore, Doc....take your pick. We Seattle-ophiles remember the '01-'02 McLemore, but he was (in a long career) a .259-.349-.341 guy. Make that an 82 OPS+. Bloomquist (in a long career) is a .269-.316-.342, 78 0PS+ guy.
I'm not betting that Marte walks 9% of the time, as McLemore did......but McLemore did, and without any pop to mention. It can be done.
Marte is even more flexible in that he switch hits without much (or any) split differential.
I like the kid more as a SS, but not enough to move Brad Miller off, and I'm not sure I like him enough to move Chris Taylor out. Will see, on that.
I'm not enamored with an 82 OPS+ Austin Jackson in CF. More of that from Marte (as a fulltimer) isn't any more interesting. And I would rater see Flores establish that he doesn't have a CF glove.
As instant flexiblity, Marte is a nice player and wll worth having. As my starting CF in '16, I'm not betting that he brings enough bat to interest me....and I'm not betting he brings Paul Blair's glove to cover up for his Willie Bloomquist bat.