Pirates catcher Francisco Cervelli and Blue Jays catcher Russell Martin are both generating some degree of interest on the trade market, per Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports (all Twitter links). The Jays are willing to pay a “significant” portion of the final $20MM on Martin’s contract, per Passan, and have already discussed him with other clubs. Cervelli’s on-base skills are also appealing to catcher-needy teams, Passan notes, and the Pirates are willing to listen to offers for the veteran backstop. Both players are entering the final season of multi-year contracts.
Cervelli, 33 in March, just wrapped up a vastly superior offensive season to Martin and is owed a more palatable $11.5MM in 2019 before reaching free agency next winter. That price point is obviously steep for the typically low-budget Pirates, but other clubs around the league may not consider it excessive for a player who hit .259/.378/.431 with a career-high 12 home runs in 404 plate appearances last season. That OBP is hardly anything new for Cervelli, who has reached at a .370 clip or better in five of the past six seasons, with a .342 mark in 2017 serving as the lone exception.
Cervelli also halted an outstanding 39 percent of stolen-base attempts against him, though his once-superlative framing skills have checked in below the league average in each of the past two seasons, per Baseball Prospectus. He also rated below average in terms of pitch blocking in 2018.
The 35-year-old Martin is in a much different spot. He’ll make $20MM in the final season of a backloaded five-year, $82MM contract next season, and while his 15.9 percent walk rate was sensational, his overall .194/.338/.325 batting line leaves plenty to be desired. Martin was undoubtedly harmed by a .234 average on balls in play, but that’s perhaps not as unlucky as some might think at first glance.
While that .234 mark is well south of his career .283 BABIP, Martin saw his line-drive rate drop by nearly 10 percent this past season — from 23.7 percent in 2017 to 14 percent in 2018. He also posted a career-worst 19.4 percent infield-fly rate and hit the ball on the ground at a career-high 51.2 percent clip. For a 35-year-old catcher whose once-surprising speed has largely evaporated, that’s not a great trend.
Defensively, Martin’s once-excellent caught-stealing rate has waned over the past three seasons (22 percent in 2018 — six percent below the league average), but Baseball Prospectus still grades him as a premium framer and blocker.
The availability of both Cervelli and Martin only further adds to a market that has a vast supply of options but also a rather substantial amount of demand. Marlins star J.T. Realmuto is obviously the prize of the catching class but also surely comes with a substantially greater cost of acquisition than either Cervelli or Martin. Cleveland’s Yan Gomes, too, is said to be available. Free agency, meanwhile, offers the likes of Yasmani Grandal, Wilson Ramos, Martin Maldonado and Robinson Chirinos, among others.
As for demand, there’s no shortage of contenders or hopeful contenders who could use upgrades. The Dodgers, Astros, Rockies, Angels, Twins, Red Sox, Mets, Brewers and Phillies could all conceivably explore the market, as could a number of teams that are either in the midst of a rebuild or retooling process (e.g. Mariners, Tigers). And, of course, if any of Cervelli, Martin or Realmuto is moved, those catchers’ former clubs could look to the market to add a replacement option at a lower price.
Both these guys had value at one point but who really wants them now?
Someone like Martin could have value to a team close to contention looking for a veteran to mentor younger players.
I guess I can see where you’d criticize Martin given the sub-.200 average, though with the walk rate and defensive skills, he’d still be desirable if the Jays paid the bulk of his salary.
It’s far more puzzling to act like Cervelli is devoid of value on the heels of a .378 OBP, a career-high 12 homers (in 404 PAs) and a 3 WAR season. He’s a really nice value for teams that don’t want to pay the price for a free agent like Grandal or Ramos.
Martin can also play 2nd 3rd and ss
I mean , not every day lol but he can and has.
Trying to figure of what direction the Pirates are trying to head.
Thought we were rebuilding, then they dump Meadows for veteran Archer.
All so they can maybe have one more year of Dickerson.
Really frusterating. Tare it down or spend some money.
But trading your #1 prospect for a vet, then putting Cervelli on the block makes no sense.
Would rather suffer and get top 5 picks,than suffer thru .500 years with no direction.
…would actually prefer they just leave Pittsburgh..
Have a minor league team play at PNC.. would be same difference…
Really tired of Mr Nutting pretending he can’t afford a 10+Mil/yr contract.
Still blame him for letting the 2011+ era slip away without bringing in enough talent to win it all.
If that wasn’t the right time to spend,then it never will be.
Did not attend a game last year for 1st time in a decade.
Will not visit the park this year either.
Not til Bob Nutting sells the team..
Feel like I’m not the only one.
Cervelli had the 3rd most fWAR among catchers last year and has the 4th most fWAR among catchers since 2015.
Cervelli is entering his age-33 season though.
How much of it is sustainable? Especially a Catcher with his checkered injury history
It’s for 1 year.
Cervelli was one of the best C in the game last year. Several teams would love to have him
Every team in baseball would take Cervelli.
If the Jays traded Martin, they probably wouldn’t look to the open market. They have enough catching options.
They have 1 prime option: Danny Jansen
Exactly. The Jays have their 2 young catchers in Danny Jansen & Reese McGuire and would still have Luke Maile. They want to move Martin to let their Jansen & McGuire play
I almost hope if that’s the case that McGuire ends up in AAA to be the starter. Unless they’re going to split the workload 50/50, but I can’t really see that happening since Jansen is the superior player.
Relax. Reese is in aaa for sure. With Martin gone, potentially, Maile becomes the younger defensive vet by default. He brings some value but only to give Jansen a rest once a week. Jansen is the next Pudge!! (Imo lol)
Cervelli’s quality C: +2.6 bbref WAR, +3.3 Fangraphs WAR
$11.5MM expiring contract in 2019
On top of that, Steamer projects Cervelli to be worth 2.6 fWAR in 2019.
If we apply the Fangraphs model of ~$11M per win (this model is imperfect but it gives a rough idea), that’s a valuation of about $28.6M — a surplus value of ~$17M.
Chatwood for Martin?
Interesting but with the years left of Chatwoods contract it may not be so desirable. Plus Cubs have Contreras and Martin would be an expensive back up catcher.
I’ll save you time – nobody wants Heyward, Darvish, or Chatwood.
How about Russell got Martin, it’ll be the Russell Martin trade. Get it hahaha
For
I would take both Heyward and Chatrwood on my team for 90% less money
mikem – If the Cubs offered Chatwood for Martin straight up without the Jays having to pay part of Martin’s $20-mil they should take it. Anyone downvoting you either don’t have a clue about the Jays current situation or have decided to drink the koolaid provided by Toronto media.
Blue Jays need an arm, regardless of quality, for the next couple years. Chatwood fits the bill. The only reason to be against dealing Martin is for Danny Jansen and/or Reese McGuire should be mentored by Martin. They could learn from him during the 2019 season.
Needing arms doesn’t mean trading for negative value contracts. They should be signing low end FAs and guys whose market falls out for 1 year value rebuilding deals and trying to flip them at the deadline. You can have a need and be smart in how you address it. Not saying they shouldn’t do Martin for Chatwood if they don’t have to pay any of Martins salary, as difference is 5.5 mill total, but if they can unload Martin for something useful by retaining and sign some better value pitching they can flip they should.
Jbs32 – Chatwood is about what Martin is currently worth in a deal when you separate money from the equation. You get a “negative value contract” when you deal a negative value contract in Martin.
Jays need a filler arm over the next two years in-hopes of a best case scenario. That’s Tyler Chatwood. Presumably the Jays are going to deal Stroman during the 2019 season and who knows what will happen to Sanchez. But Martin’s not going to be flipped for “better value pitching” with a $20-mil contract, a fading arm and a declining bat.
That’s not true. The deal would need to have a prospect going from Chicago in the deal. It doesn’t make any sense to pay the extra money or take on the extra year without any incentive. If Toronto is in so bad of shape that they need pitchers like him to fill the rotation, they’d just do what the Tigers did with Moore. I’m not against a Chatwood trade, but there would definitely have to be something else added for it to make any sense for Toronto.
No kidding. I went by mikem’s original comment. Keep up with the adults, JDGoat.
You literally said the Jays would take a straight up trade. How you could possibly try to turn that on me is laughable. I’ll never understand why you feel the need to be so condescending towards everybody
You’re the one with the hidden agenda. Don’t act like others have to “keep up with the adults”. I’m not the one who goes around trolling other people on these boards.
^JDGoat – I said “should”, not “would”, and yes the Jays should take that deal if it was offered. If someone put words in your mouth the way you seem to always do toward me I’m sure you wouldn’t like it.
As for “trolling”….well, you clearly don’t read your comments. You like to attack others, and when someone does it to you its the biggest problem plaguing the universe.
Jays just promoted AA Manager John Schneider to MLB specifically so he could work with the young catchers. I’d rather get something – anything – for Martin. Though when Russ retires he’ll probably make a great coach if that’s what he wants to do.
Martin is blocking Danny Jansen’s path to the starting job, even before Spring Training starts. This kid is the real deal (imo). Enough of the Russell mentoring…appreciate the wisdom but times up…dump him for an arm and eat $15 mil and everyone walks away happy.
MArtin is not blocking anyone and Jansen does need mentoring from someone if he is going to be the elite catcher and MLB level player he can be,.
Jansen can be mentored by the new manager or hitting coach, take your pick. Martin gots to go!!! He’s clogging up the pipeline unless he’s willing to be a dinosaur “utility” guy. Come on now, especially if they can save $5 mil by giving him away…
Im not 100% sure how Martin is in any way blocking Jansen. Maybe maile and Mcguire – but even if Russ sticks with the team I have a hard time believing he is going to eat into Jansens playing time. And really, is it the best idea to have two catchers on the roster who have virtually no MLB experience? I don’t really know. Personally I think the only benefit of trading Martin is that you are going to save a few million dollars and maybe get a marginal asset in return.
If the Jays can save a few million and get a marginal asset for Martin they absolutely will imo. Jansen has had a nice taste of MLB and Maile is there to back him up with much more experience. Jansen is going to explode, he is nothing like JP Arencibia. Martin is out…he’s clogging up the pipeline.
^Maile doesn’t have to remain with the team. It’s possible he goes to AAA. McGuire needs to improve his bat in the minors. Jansen with Martin, 2019. If you can deal Martin, fine. But to have any urgency to deal Russell Martin with this youthful squad is not necessarily the right idea.
Jays have too many catchers, aren’t winning anything 2019, get what you can for Martins dead money anyway.
Jansen will start 3-4 times per week next year. Martin will get 2 starts plus face lefties playing INF. McGuire starts in AAA.
Yup, that’s what I would do unless someone steps up for Martin with a real trade chip.
“Real trade chip”
Wow. If the Jays can get a punch in the face and only pay 3/4 of his salary next year then thats highway robbery. Martin’s only value to the Jays is, hypothetically, being traded at the deadline after an out-of-the-blue, bomb, all-star 2019 season. Then and only then will they get anything of half decent value in return. Otherwise. No one is stepping up.
If Martin improves his hitting just slightly he will be dealt at the deadline. For what we won’t know. A team will pay for 2 months worth of Martin, and if he has a resurgence the Jays will get a decent return.
But I won’t hold out hope when Martin’s turning 36.
I think the Angels might be interested in Cervelli
Definitely should be.
Meh x 2 = So what.
As a Sox fan, at this stage of their career and cost, neither Cervelli nor Martin appeal as an alleged upgrade. While a team should never stand pat, you can live with a defensive catcher, especially in the AL with a DH. The pitching staff on the whole loves having Leon and Vasquez behind the dish and especially given their salary structure for 19, they’ll stay away from a catching alleged upgrade other than that “Florida guy” who they don’t have the prospects to get.
I agree (also as a Sox fan) I think that they should stick with Vasquez and Leon (or Swihart) over either of these guys (though I do think Cervelli is good) I just also think that Vasquez is going to have a bit of a bounceback to average offense (between 2017 and 2018 most likely) and while I like Leon’s defense if they can get something for him and give Swihart a bigger shot I think he could thrive as well. (or get something for Swihart and settle for the D Leon provides)
Honestly, I’m a Sox fan too and I think you’re right except for Swihart. Sox should either trade or non-tender Swihart. He does not contribute and I’m tired of giving him any more chances. He’s a subpar catcher, subpar hitter, and subpar utility player. It is time to go and make room for another pitcher.
Martin has an awesome playoff participation rate and he is capable of playing a poor utility role. Any team would be better with Martin on the bench.
I’m pretty sure the LAD will be in on one of them for one season until they’re catching prospects are ready.
Good point. Would be a great fit if Martin could have a bit of a resurgence.
A Martin reunion with the Dodgers? Stranger things have happened. If it does, I guess I’d get to wear my #55 t-shirt again.
I believe Austin Barnes will make a comeback.
Dodgers are going to land Realmuto…wait for it.
Get Cervelli out of the Cubs division, he’s a Cub killer.
Hmm, how about Martin, Morales, Travis, Pannone, another mid-level prospect to Seattle for Cano? Cano could play 2b for a couple of years, 1b for a few years and DH his last year. Putting him in front of Guerrero would be interesting for the next 5 years…
Stop trying to make Cano to TOronto a thing. Cano has a full no trade do you know what that means?
The Blue Jays don’t need another infielder & especially one with the term left on Cano’s contract. Gurriel is already in Toronto & Bichette and Biggio are coming soon. They are all middle infielders. The Jays also have Urena & Drury on the roster. The last thing the Jays need in Cano. This is a rebuild. Don’t need a 36 year old Cano when you are starting over.
What would Alex Anthopolous do….
Martin, Tulo, Morales, Travis, $10-mil plus Seattle covers the final year of the Cano contract for Cano and you’re now in the conversation. Barely.
If you’re looking for prospects going to Seattle you’d be sorely mistaken.
A team with too many infielders who would love to shed a few bucks during a couple of non-contention years should pick up Cano? Riiiiiight.
“Martin, Morales, Travis, Pannone, another mid-level prospect to Seattle for Cano?”
No, just n o. Never happen. Trade suggestions are fantasy and a waste of typing.
Trade severino for cervelli, Nationals.
I can see listening to offers for Cervelli in a market where teams are offering huge packages for Realmuto and only one team will get him.
But unless a team is willing to overpay, there is no reason for the Pirates to trade Cervelli. The platoon with him and Diaz is one of the team’s few areas of competitive advantage.
His value to the pitching staff is huge.
The Pirates trading good prospects for Chris Archer last summer meant they were trying to compete. A Cervelli trade looks like the opposite.
Not with Elias Diaz ready to take over. Dude put up 2 WAR and 10 homers in 82 games. He gets on base and is also an excellent defender. This is probably where the Bucs are best positioned to upgrade via trade.
Maybe…..but trade Cervelli to fill a void then see what Diaz can do over a full season. Cervelli has had concussion issues his whole career.
I think a big part of the Archer acquisition was for this year and perhaps more so than 2018. They were treading water when they got him if i remember correctly. He’s a beast, a half ace, but the Bucs are going for playoffs for sure.
Would love to see Cervelli platooning with Alfaro.
I’ve been suggesting a Stroman/Martin bundle for the Halos all off season no reason to stop now. TOR would have to pay a bunch of the money owed to Russ but a prospect haul of Marsh, Thaiss & an arm (Jose Suarez, Jesus Castillo or Chris Rodriguez) seems fair to me. Similar to the Sonny Gray return
Only one problem with the trade Stroman suggestion: he has elite stuff [with a minor league personality] and his stuff could be a very good closer or a #3 in the rotation if healthy.
Becuase of what he has done in the past in a few big game scenarios and his graound ball rate, it would have to be a pretty big haul and I doubt the Nats would do that.
I wish the Cardinals would trade for one of these, I know we have Molina and both of these would want to start everyday. I’m just not sold on Carson Kelly being a backup I think he sucks!!
Cards should be using Kelly as trade bait. They do have Molina under contract until 2020 and they seem firmly committed to him.
I agree I wish they would use him as trade bait as well.
redsox are not suiters for a cather. it was already discussed here 2 weeks back that Sox confirmed they will still carry 3 catchers onto mext years roater….unless they trade one…they wont carry 4 cathers.
this a not a well thought out article.
Martin “was undoubtedly harmed” by the fact that he is washed up.
How about Martin to the Twins, I mean Castro’s got bum knees, Garver’s starting to get concussions, and Astudillo is an enigma; Why not bring in an experienced catcher who could probably make a spot start at 3B/2B.
The contract may be a problem, but Toronto will surely eat that if they want any kind of return at all.
The remaining salary owed to Phil Hughes.
Or take a package involving Smoak and/or Travis.
Always enjoy seeing defensive metrics have a catcher excellent one year – or multiple years – then he falls off the table, especially with a stat as obtuse as ” pitch framing “. Lolol
Martin has a lot of value to the right team. He’s still a consummate pro, clubhouse leader, mentor to young pitchers, good defender, and can play utility in a pinch. Plenty of teams could use that as long as they’re not paying all 20m.
Trade Cervelli and bring back Reese McGuire, think of all the salary we could save.
McGuire can then be a key part of two salary dumps. He should never have been traded away in the first place.
Freaking pirates. Unloading another contract. Neil and bob, get your head out of your “butt”. Your a disgrace to Pittsburgh..you can afford cervelli.
I don’t see the point in keeping Cervelli around at age 33 when Diaz can arguably do almost as well, if not just as well. Besides, it’s nit like they have to trade him if they don’t like the offers they are getting. To me tho isn’t a case of “being cheap” even though the Bucs are (rightly) often accused of that. This is doing due diligence.
good point, just hope they get someone of equal value/salary in return.
Agreed. If it’s me I’m looking for at least one major-league ready player in return, not a bunch of low-level prospects who may or may not work out. In other words, don’t trade Francisco to dump salary, trade him if it improves the roster.
Klentak probably all in on Martin as the Phillies next SS. FML. I would take either of these guys as a time splitter with Alfaro though.
Cerveli’s season was good enough to bring back something of quality. lower top 100ish prospect and some change. A lower half rotation cheap starter with some control perhaps.
If a bottom rotation arm does come back, then that makes it even easier to trade Nova for whatever they can get. couple B types or something.
If they free up both salaries thats around 20M ‘new’ cash available this season (minus whatever new player salary is) could be enough to push for Lowrie. on a 2-3 year deal. Or if they take into account recent years salary moves they could reasonably make an offer on manny (though probably not enough to make him one to go to pittsburgh)
With Diaz stepping up pretty big last season makes a cervelli trade not a huge hit.. unless diaz goes down and then there isn’t much after that, so they’ll need a new backup. Stallings isn’t the worst…. but signing someone like chris stewart to come in for spring could give the catching group a hand and give him a shot at a MLB job again
The Bucs are not going to sign anybody to big contracts. They will not trade for anybody big. It’s going to be rookies and low end free agents. We are going to have a losing season. Next on the block will be the gold glove left fielder.
Getting Cervelli and/or Nova off of the books makes it arguably more likely that they pursue an extension with Dickerson. I would be surprised if they haven’t already touched base with Corey.
Stewart seems like he might be done, but I agree that someone like him on a minor-league deal would be a very good idea for spring training competition for Stallings and whomever else as a backup. I also agree that Cervelli should be netting them someone to help at the major-league level in return.
Cervelli to the Dodgers for Joc Pedersen and an arm (Baez, Stripling, etc.)
good idea but Pederson would probably make too much.
Sox could be interested in either guy
As a Pirate fan, I like this idea. Not only would trading Cervelli open up a precious $10M, but Elias Diaz looked fantastic last year! In addition, with his injury history, he might not even be tradeable during the season.
If they can parlay him into a good prospect or to, or a 25-man roster upgrade (SS is needed), then they should do it! Playing Cervelli over Diaz certainly won’t decide whether they make the playoffs or not. If you hold him, you risk not being able to trade him later, or just letting him walk.
Russel Martin is a 20 million dollar road apple. At best he’s a below average backup worth nothing more than league minimum.
Interesting that the Pirates were smart enough to get Cervelli after the 2014 season when they actually offered Martin the same high annual value as Toronto did but for one less year which will be 2019.The Pirates gave up Justin Wilson for Cervelli and Wilson has just been better than average since then.
Cervelli with his concussion problems is one foul ball away from losing the year,and the Pirates from losing $11.5 M in value.Those are the reasons why they want to trade him now.Also,they need to keep Stallings on the ML roster or they will lose him as he is out of options.He would be a decent backup.
The problem I see is they will need to hope Diaz was not a one year wonder,and that neither he nor Stallings gets hurt.They will need someone experienced and relatively good who is willing to play in AAA.
I do not see this as a salary dump as I was somewhat surprised when they gave Cervelli this contract two years ago.
They have to make sure that they are protected if they trade him as this position is the one most susceptible to injury and the Pirates are actually hoping to contend this year.