Martin has 4 Offers

[A.E]

Russell Martin now has contract offers from four teams​

It’s Russell Martin Night here on Hardball Talk. Well, unofficially.

Martin has already drawn contract offers from the Red Sox and Yankees. Now the Blue Jays have also made an offer, according to Marc Carig of the Newark Star-Ledger, and a darkhorse team has sent in a multi-year proposal.

Martin hit just .248/.347/.342 this past year for the Dodgers, but he’s still relevant because of his past success. And because he’s claiming to be fully healed from the hip problems that have bugged him for close to two seasons.

The 27-year-old backstop was named an All-Star in 2007 and 2008, batting .286/.380/.432 with 32 total home runs, 156 RBI and 39 stolen bases over the course of those two seasons. If he can come even close to that kind of production next year, he’ll be worth the risk.

The Yankees reportedly have interest in making him their starter while Jesus Montero gets a little more time at Triple-A. If they really want to execute that plan, a two-year offer might have to be made.

-Hardball Talk

First off, this is the guy that I, as a Yankee fan, want to sign just as much as Cliff Lee. Martin hit a slide in his career but I love the prospect of his bat in that short left of Yankee Stadium. Jays really need to solidify the catcher spot and Martin's a grinder that fits their job description. I could see Toronto offering up more than you'd think to make a deal. Jays not only need someone behind the dish but they need all the potential 'pop' in the line-up they can get.

 

[Phil The Thrill]

Go get him Theo, our catching needs help right now. Martin and Jarrod Saltalamacchia, wouldn't give us the best catching duo, but would give us potential for extra pop in the lineup.

 

[Rios15]

Love to see him as the catcher. Could help out J.P too. If anything J.P can play 1st base (I think).

 

[elcheato]

Russell Martin is terrible

 

[A.E]

Russell Martin is terrible

He's definitely slumped since '09 and that doesn't worry me as we wouldn't have to rely on him as much. He and Jorge would actually do just fine splitting time. What does worry me is that torn labrum. Not a great injury for a catcher to sustain.

I think he ends up in Toronto either way. He's Canadian...I'm sure he's always dreamed of playing near home and all that jazz.

 

[Mexi]

^2nd half of 08 actually
piss poor

still. 2006, 2007, 1st half of 2008 were great. too bad it ended so quick. he's been catching way way way too many games. worn out

maybe since he missed the last 2 months of the season he'll be better, but that hip injury he had was pretty bad. have you guys seen it?

 

[Giantmetfan07]

As for the darkhorse team, i gotta at least mention the Mets since they've been rumored to be pursuing Russell Martin as a duo with Josh Thole.

Wouldn't mind the guy either -- I think he has so much potential to return to his old form, they could get him for a pretty decent price. I also don't think they'll get him, haha.

 

[RipCity32]

Lol. If we signed Victor to be a DH, we better fucking be the darkhorse.

 

[A.E]

F*** me...

Russell Martin is leaning toward the Red Sox

Mark Feinsand of the Daily News passes along word that Russell Martin, though considering offers from the Jays, Yankees and Red Sox, is leaning towards accepting the Red Sox offer. I assume the reason for this is that he thinks he has a better chance of getting playing time in front of Saltalamaccia and Varitek…

-HBT

 

[Rios15]

SMH at the Red Sox

 

[A.E]

This isn't good news for Jason Varitek, no way in hell would they carry 3 catchers on the 25-man roster.

 

[The Guid]

This isn't good news for Jason Varitek, no way in hell would they carry 3 catchers on the 25-man roster.

I think they might send Salty to AAA (depending on the option situation, I honestly don't know if he has any) but I think they feel that he won't be able to catch full time.

 

[Phil The Thrill]

I don't even understand why the help we put that "C" on Varitek, especially now. Haha why the <Censored> would Varitek be captain at this stage in his career, and I believe we are the only team that does it.

 

[snipezo]

Because he's a great leader???

 

[elcheato]

Still not understanding why he is a hot commodity. It's clear his first few years were flukes. He can't hit anymore.

 

[Giantmetfan07]

Well, the teams think they can get him for a good price and hope that if he's splitting the workload with another catcher that won't wear him out and his bat will produce well in like... 80 starts and important situations off the bench.

 

[Elite]

He's probably not too big of a fan of knowing that he has no future with the Yankees due to Jesus Montero just waiting to snatch the catching spot for good.

 

[elcheato]

Montero will end up converting to a corner infield position or just play DH for most of his career..

 

[VC15]

Montero will end up converting to a corner infield position or just play DH for most of his career..

We still have Austin Romine who will likely be up here in 2012...

 

[Phil The Thrill]

Because he's a great leader???

We almost didn't bring him back......