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AL East Notes: Duquette, Damon, Martin

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | March 7, 2012 at 3:50pm CDT

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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Baltimore Orioles New York Yankees Ben Cherington Dan Duquette Johnny Damon Russell Martin

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Comments

  1. UltimateYankeeFan

    10 years ago

    ”
    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.

    Reply
  2. cards2WS

    10 years ago

    I’m sure Martin appreciated that deal. Probably bumped him up 10-15 mil.

    Reply
  3. johnsilver

    10 years ago

    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.

    Reply
    • Ben Fink

      10 years ago

      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.

      Reply
      • start_wearing_purple

        10 years ago

        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.

        Reply
        • johnsilver

          10 years ago

          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.

      • start_wearing_purple

        10 years ago

        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.

        Reply
      • UltimateYankeeFan

        10 years ago

        I’m not sure it set the bar either.  Did Papelbon’s contract this past winter set the bar for closers? NO.

        Reply
  4. diesel2410

    10 years ago

    LOL Martin. If you were a woman, you’d be a gold digger

    Reply
  5. Dennis

    10 years ago

     Pena’s not worth half what he’s been paid. 

    Reply
    • EdinsonPickle

      10 years ago

      Too bad this isn’t 2007, huh?

      Reply
    • EdinsonPickle

      10 years ago

      Too bad this isn’t 2007, huh?

      Reply
    • diesel2410

      10 years ago

      I’d pay a guy $7.5 million to hit 30 HRs and knock in 90 RBIs

      Reply
    • notsureifsrs

      10 years ago

      friedman certainly has a reputation for overpaying players

      Reply
  6. dook83

    10 years ago

    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….

    Reply
  7. gohlkusmaximus

    10 years ago

    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.

    Reply
  8. AmericanMovieFan

    10 years ago

    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.

    Reply
  9. hawkny1

    10 years ago

    Red Sox – complacency and hard work = championship…..

    Reply
  10. JoeSeadog

    10 years ago

    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.

    Reply
  11. N1120A

    10 years ago

    Martin is an elite defensive player, has power and patience and has been brutalized by BABIP this year.

    Reply

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