Email a copy of 'Free Agent Stock Watch: Russell Martin' to a friend
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By Ben Nicholson-Smith | at
Email a copy of 'Free Agent Stock Watch: Russell Martin' to a friend
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dc21892
This got me thinking about what Boston will do with Salty. He’s going to be getting expensive soon so what’s his worth? 3/24-30? He’s done well, and Lavarnway has struggled terribly in what is a small sample size but struggled nonetheless. Let me know what you guys think…
Slopeboy
@dc21892
It’s always tougher to gauge catchers. There is a lot to what they are expected to do. They have to call a game, control a running game, make adjustments for the pitcher at times, and hit. That’s a lot for a rookie to digest right away, and it takes time. I’ll you give Wieters, for example. The O’s got him as a number 1 pick and threw him into the mix right away, it’s taken him the last three years to put it altogether.
From what I’ve seen from Lavarnway, he’s a keeper, but he should have been left at AAA to continue to work on the defensive end of his game. Looks like he has a quick bat, so he’ll hit, but it won’t come quickly. Getting rid of Saltalamaccia and thrusting Lavarnway in right away could screw up his development, long term.
Bob George
Salty is arbitration eligible one last time in 2013. My guess is he will get around $4 mil for next season, which I would expect the Red Sox to agree to and then decide by next summer/fall if they want to extend him. He becomes a free agent after 2013. His caught stealing percentage is very low for his career and his WAR isn’t even at starter (2.0) level this year, despite hitting 24 hr’s. He’s not a contact hitter and doesn’t walk. For his type of hitter at catcher I think most teams would like to see better defense than what he offers. I’d be a little leery about giving him a 3 year deal.
LazerTown
No way is salty worth that much if martin can’t get 3/20. Salty manages a .290 obp, and 5 more hr than martin doesn’t get you that much more when your obp is 20 points less. Lavarnway has struggled so far, but he has proven himself very good in the minors. Salty is really not a good offensive catcher.
johnsilver
” Lavarnway has struggled terribly in what is a small sample size but struggled nonetheless.”
Lavarnway has hit at every level of the MiLB during his 3 year career, the questions have never, ever been about his bat, but about his defense and those have improved enough so that he will be fine.
Taking 125AB and using that as a gauge is just wrong. Offensive player of the year in the Sox MiLB system 2 out of 3 times.. he is going to hit.. THAT ain’t going to be an issue.
dc21892
I understand his make up and what he’s done in the minors, but he needs to show it in the majors. His defense has been an issue yes and I know it’s early to judge as I said, but at some point he has to translate his minor league numbers to his pro numbers.
ed27
I believe that Brian Cashman likes Martin and the Yankees will try to retain him. However, as always, Cashman has a number in mind and if somebody exceeds that, the Yankees will let him walk. He is a good clubhouse guy, a decent defender, and in the Yankee lineup he fits in well.
LazerTown
I hope Martin comes back. He has had a rough year, but he istill is near the top of the league in pitches per PA. He also takes alot of walks, he is not expected to do it all, just get on base and let the people around him get him around. He also gets almost 20 hr a season. He works patiently which fits perfectly on the Yankees.
Patrick Oliver
Get a deal Russell, Yankees!