The Yankees and Russell Martin have agreed to table extension talks until the season ends, agent Matt Colleran confirmed to Joel Sherman of the New York Post. By that point, Martin will be on the brink of free agency and the market for catchers will likely be better-established.
Yadier Molina and the Cardinals are nearing a five-year contract in the $70-75MM range, and the near-deal “gives you something to point to now,” Colleran said. When the Yankees discussed a possible extension with Martin earlier in the offseason, they reportedly offered a three-year deal in the $20MM range. Though Martin figures to sign for less than $14-15MM per season, he will benefit from Molina’s deal (as will Mike Napoli and Miguel Montero).
Martin would like to sign long-term with the Yankees, who were impressed with his performance in 2011. The Yankees are “obsessed” with lowering their payroll below $189MM by 2014 for luxury tax purposes, Sherman writes. He suggests Martin could sign for $40MM over four years next offseason.
That Molina extension might be setting a dangerous precedent here…
Agreed. I can’t argue with Molina getting top dollar and he probably could have gotten that much (70m+) from NY. It was a shock to see a mid market team offer that much and as average as Martin is? Cashman is pretty wise to play it by ear.
Boston is probably not going to be his chief rival in a bidding war for martin with another league average catcher under team control for 2 seasons and both teams have prospects in the system who are close to the bigs and further down as well.
Cash should probably still be able to get “his man” back for 10m AAV over 3 years, even with the new inflated catchers market tha has been created over a 3 year period if he really wants him, or go to plan B, Montero if he does not sign an extension.. either way.. he is playing it his normal, smart way.
What is “AAV”?
Ridiculous.
crazy overpay
I love Martin, and I love what he could teach the kids coming up from the farm that being said 14 million a year seems a bit high. I would settle for a 3 year 25 million deal, maybe 2 guaranteed years with a club option for a 3rd. My reasoning is that the Romine and Sanchez might be major league ready in 2 years, but probably will be in 3.
I like what martin has done, but with the catching prospects we have in the minors, and what he does offensively; i would have a hard time justifying giving him more than $10 million aav.
What is “aav”?
I agree. But, I do not want Sanchez. Use him as trade bait.
Chances of the Yankees offering Martin a 4yr/$40MM deal are slim and none and slim left town. A long term deal for Martin has 2 things going against him.
1st) The Yankees want to get at or under the $189MM luxury tax threshold for 2014. And extending Martin to those numbers kills any chance they have of reaching that goal. Considering they have to extend Cano starting in 2014.
2nd) The Yankee have 2 very good prospects for the catching position. Romine who will be ready late this season or 2013 for sure. And Sanchez who should be ready for the 2014 season.
A long term deal for Martin with the Yankees is not in the cards.
neither romine nor sanchez are sure bets anymore, but if they’re going to commit that kind of money to a catcher, i doubt russel martin will be the guy they give it to
Watch for Romine to be called up sometime in the late summer. I think he”l do fine. The Yankees gave him his first look in real competition last September. Look for it to continue, in my opinion.
I agree – if big bucks are going to be spent, I doubt that it will be at the catcher position. The factor of Curtis Granderson also comes into play; he will also be a free agent after 2013.
What could influence that decision is that Cano is repped by Scott Boras.
I see what you did there.
What in Martin’s stat line says 4/40? Other than he’s playing for the NYY, I mean.
10 mil a year for Martin… go ahead Yanks. I’d be happy if they do that because it’s not a great deal at all, unless Martin returns to his pre-2009 form which is not ideal.
Yankees never said any of that. It’s a suggestion by Joel Sherman.
Martin isn’t even that good. How could he possibly get that much?
No way Martin is worth $10 mil a year! I’d say 3 years/$21 mil max.
I was hoping for a “Montero” to be the Yankees catcher for the next 6-8 years. For 4/40, the Yankees should be able to get MIGUEL Montero behind the dish, which would be a big upgrade over Martin.
Martin is worth $10MM+ a season if he can duplicate his 2007 stats on a consistent basis. As it is, $7,500,000 is the ceiling for what he’s probably going to contribute (approximately 15-20 HR’s, 75 RBI’s and a .265 BA). I mean, that’s pretty much what Posada offered on a consistent basis, but he showed glimpses of having 25 HR/100 RBI power at the plate, which is why he got the money he did. Anyway, I’m all for Martin staying around for a couple more seasons as the Yanks’ primary backstop, provided he gets that average back up and stays healthy.
I’d rather wait for Napoli. New York has grown accustomed to offensive catchers.
Hes/ a great team player/Teacher and Calls a Excellent Game Considering
we have only Possibilities /w the KIDS I would want Martin for 3 yrs $28K
with the last year being a Yankee option.
His skills as a defensive catcher Is imho a Huge benefit w/ the Kids not
worry so much about there catcher Blocking the Plate,ie/ wild Pitches
or Dirt balls
Go Yanks
Martin would probably be a placeholder until Gary Sanchez comes up
I wish they just wouldn’t have thought to let him go in the first place. He is a great player. Does anyone remember Marinos 602 career save?
Yankeesgirl