Wei-Ying Chen, Hiroki Kuroda and Carlos Pena obtained the biggest free agent contracts handed out by AL East teams this offseason, not counting the Yankees’ extended agreement with C.C. Sabathia. Here’s the latest on the division…
- Orioles executive VP of baseball operations Dan Duquette told Dan Shaughnessy of the Boston Globe that he’s operating differently in Baltimore than he did as Boston’s GM. “I have a fresh start in Baltimore,’’ he said. “I believe I could do a better job in one-on-one communication in a couple of different areas of the job.
- Ian Browne of MLB.com checks in with Ben Cherington, who’s now wrapping up his first offseason as Boston’s GM. Though Cherington says he’s far from unflappable, his boss, Red Sox president/CEO Larry Lucchino, says he’s off to a “flying start.”
- The Orioles haven’t ruled out Johnny Damon, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com tweets. The Orioles have switch-hitting DH Wilson Betemit in place, but they could shift him to third at times or play Damon in left if their interest in the free agent is serious.
- Yankees catcher Russell Martin told Heyman that he was pleased to see the Cardinals recognize the value of Yadier Molina’s all-around game with a $75MM deal (Twitter link). "He kind of set the bar," Martin said.
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Yankees catcher Russell Martin told Heyman that he was pleased to see the Cardinals recognize the value of Yadier Molina’s all-around game with a $75MM deal (Twitter link). “He kind of set the bar,” Martin said.”
Why wouldn’t Martin be happy? Next year he’s he’s going to and probably expecting to see his piece of the pie. Well Russell good luck with your next team.
I’m sure Martin appreciated that deal. Probably bumped him up 10-15 mil.
That short quote there from Martin makes one think that he is under the impression that his services are comparable dollar wise to Molina. If that is what is going on, have a feeling he is in for a hard crash from a reality check come next winter.
I don’t think that’s what he is saying, however, it is fairly clear that Molina’s contract will lead to him making more money. He is right in saying that Molina set the bar, and all other catchers should be happy about it.
The thing is I don’t see this as a bar. I see it more in the same line as how Mauer’s contract wasn’t setting a bar. There’s 2 reasons to give a catcher a lot of money: Elite defense or elite hitting. Mauer was the elite hitter and Molina is the elite defender and a leader.
I don’t see Martin breaking even $10M unless he has a stellar season.
I can see him getting 10m AAV for 2 years even if he puts up numbers as he just did in 2011.. Granted he might want to spread his hitting out a bit more, rather than do it all in just the 1st 3 months of the season.. But the Molina deal IMO might have boosted his pay up a wee bit, just not to astronomical figures I may be reading incorrectly in that tiny quote above by him.
If Martin is after “just” a 3/30m contract, NY probably will still attempt to sign him is my guess, but if he is after more they will let him walk.
The thing is I don’t see this as a bar. I see it more in the same line as how Mauer’s contract wasn’t setting a bar. There’s 2 reasons to give a catcher a lot of money: Elite defense or elite hitting. Mauer was the elite hitter and Molina is the elite defender and a leader.
I don’t see Martin breaking even $10M unless he has a stellar season.
I’m not sure it set the bar either. Did Papelbon’s contract this past winter set the bar for closers? NO.
LOL Martin. If you were a woman, you’d be a gold digger
Pena’s not worth half what he’s been paid.
Too bad this isn’t 2007, huh?
Too bad this isn’t 2007, huh?
I’d pay a guy $7.5 million to hit 30 HRs and knock in 90 RBIs
friedman certainly has a reputation for overpaying players
Yep, Martin will likely not be with the Yankees more than one more year, at which time Romine/Cevelli take over, with perhaps G.Sanchez squatting behind the Yankee plate a few years later….
I hope someone signs Johnny Damon. He’s fun to watch in the outfield when he tries to throw the ball. Seriously, though, I do enjoy watching him hit and run the bases.
Martin has power and is a decent defensive catcher, but he has a nearly worthless OBP and average and is streaky, which hurts him tremendously. However, Molina’s contract does help him a tiny bit, as with Molina off the market, a guy like Martin will look a little more enticing. If he can stay healthy and start at least 80% of the games and maintain his 20 HR power and have a BA above .250 then yes, I think he’ll make bank. 4 years/$50MM wouldn’t be out of the question if the market gets desperate enough, but I think he’s looking at 2 years/$20MM or 3 years/$27MM as being the realistic best-case scenarios.
Red Sox – complacency and hard work = championship…..
I think the words of Martin were taken out of context. When Yankee announcers were talking about Martin speaking of Molina before Wednesdays game they simply said he was glad the Cards recognized how complete Molinas game was, that batting average alone is no measure of a catcher. He thought Molina did more things behind the plate to mold the game and make breaks for his pitcher with the umpire, besides his defensive skills. He in no way was comparing himself with Molina. I think the Yanks have Martin in a mold to coach and manage in the future and will keep him as long as they can. He has Girardi toughness and a real feel for the game.
Russell Martin has no inkling that he is in the class of Yaddy, nor does he expect that kind of money. He thinks Yaddy set the bar for great catchers, not for the money.
Martin is an elite defensive player, has power and patience and has been brutalized by BABIP this year.