from mlbtraderumors.com vote bkitches Poll: Who Will Sign Russell Martin? By Brad Johnson [November 8, 2014 at 9:25pm CST] Earlier today, we learned that free agent catcher Russell Martin will meet with four teams – the Cubs, Pirates, Dodgers, and Blue Jays. In fact, he’s already met with Chicago. Other clubs may become involved in the bidding, but this is the initial group upon which to focus. Martin’s price is expected to soar due to a dearth of catcher talent on the market. Initially, it appeared that the Pirates might pull out all the stops to re-sign Martin. The club is thin at catcher with Tony Sanchez and Chris Stewart occupying the top of the depth chart. While the need for Martin is obvious, the ever-increasing rumored cost might push them out of the market. The Cubs and Dodgers are a better financial fit, since we know both teams can afford Martin at any reasonable cost. They have a decent internal options – Wellington Castillo for the Cubs and A.J. Ellis for the Dodgers – so they’re not desperate for a backstop in the same way as the Pirates. The Cubs recently dismissed a well-regarded manager to hire Joe Maddon, so a similar move at catcher is easy to picture. The Dodgers are supposed to be more financially responsible with Andrew Friedman at the reins. We’ll see if and how that affects their pursuit of Martin. From the outside, the Blue Jays look like a dark horse candidate, although catcher has been an area of concern since they traded away prospect Travis d’Arnaud. Dioner Navarro and Josh Thole are currently under contract to man the position, but neither player is close to Martin’s talent level. Of course, the infamous mystery team could rear its head. A few clubs who could conceivably join the fray include the Angels, Tigers, Rangers, Mariners, White Sox, and Nationals.
i think he's ours if we want him we have a definite weakness/need at catcher and russ is by far the best option in a very thin catching market just not sure our FO team will want to pay the price needed to acquire him
I think the framing stat that shows AJ is at the bottom and Russell is near the top should be enough for Friedman to go get him. Could also open us up to other FA's because we wouldn't have to give up more than 1 #1 pick.
Martin's always striked me as a competitor, so i think being the best team of those that have been mentioned will go far enough. plus, he's our guy..Magic gets him back. Russell Martin signed to the Dodgers for 5yrs/70M. extra year and slight overpay the last 2yrs..the price of playing in LA. hoping for 4yrs/57.5M though just so i don't have to hear the fan's inevitable complaints regarding his contract a few years from now.
i'd almost rather overpay for the first two years and give incentives/vesting options for the additional year/years...
I'm starting to think he fucked the girlfriends of some of the guys on here. Look, we all know Martin won't do what he did this year in Pittsburgh. But that's the market. He's the best available right now. I get that there are some sour grapes over how he left, but you guys need to get over it.
mothers are more likely. i don't even get that much. he packed his bags at the most embarrassing point of the McCourt era..good for him.
The only alarm about Martin is how he performed prior to his contract year. 2009-2013, he didn't hit better than 250 and his highest OPS was 732. He's definitely an upgrade, but I sure as hell won't expect 290, 832 OPS Martin if we get him.
