Jays sign Russell Martin

WaxPax · Nov 17, 2014

Blue Jays To Sign Russell Martin

Per MLBTR:

[h=1]Blue Jays To Sign Russell Martin[/h]By Mark Polishuk [November 17, 2014 at 11:08am CST]
The Blue Jays have agreed to a deal with catcher Russell Martin, Peter Gammons reports (Twitter link). The contract is for five years (according to CBS Sports’ Jon Heyman) and $82MM (via FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal). Martin is represented by Matt Colleran.

olerud363 · Nov 17, 2014

http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/report-blue-jays-to-sign-russell-martin/

Five years, $82 million. Wow.

aarne13 · Nov 17, 2014

Nice.

Jays lose 1st rd pick but gain one by losing Melky.

WCTYSON · Nov 17, 2014

Great signing for the Jays. A catcher that is better than Posey defensively, that had .400+ OBP and similar run creation value. Huge loss for the Pirates not locking him down.

Hawk8 · Nov 17, 2014

WOW, the Cubs were going after him but I doubt they were going to give him that kind of money.

olerud363 · Nov 17, 2014

Maybe now Dioner Navarro can be shopped. Surely his 2014 performance has increased his value, and makes him less likely to want to be a back-up.

DeliciousBacon · Nov 17, 2014

I didn't think he was worth that much when he was an All Star for the Dodgers.

James52411 · Nov 17, 2014

It's an overpay, but the Jays have to do that to get guys to Canada. Martin is a nice, solid player who should help their pitching staff.

sheetskout · Nov 17, 2014

This will be Martin's 4th team now. Please correct me if I'm wrong, but it always seems Martin goes where the money takes him. I don't see much loyalty from the guy....

Brewer Andy · Nov 17, 2014

Well to be fair the Yankees made no real attempt to resign him before going to Pittsburgh and it would have been hard to turn down the Blue Jays deal which is likely longer than anyone else would offer and he is from Canada

joey12508 · Nov 17, 2014

I was stunned when the Yankees let him walk. awesome player.

Super Mario · Nov 17, 2014

Blue Jays signed Russell Martin

Today. It happened.

subject to change · Nov 17, 2014

He was a blast to watch, but I can't say I'll miss him at this price. Russ had an exceptionally high BABIP this year, which definitely helped his offensive numbers and probably won't be sustainable over the next year or two. By years 3-5, this contract is crazy for a catcher in his mid 30's.

If the Jays are able to put together a contender in the next year or two, it's certainly money well spent.

AmishDave · Nov 17, 2014

And I thought the Cuddy signing was a head-scratcher ...

WCTYSON · Nov 17, 2014

AmishDave said:
And I thought the Cuddy signing was a head-scratcher ...

Would it surprise you to learn he has been the 3rd most valuable catcher in the game, since his first full season in 2006, only behind Mauer and McCann?

sheetskout · Nov 17, 2014

WCTYSON said:
Would it surprise you to learn he has been the 3rd most valuable catcher in the game, since his first full season in 2006, only behind Mauer and McCann?

Can you elaborate on this? Because I have a hard time believing Martin has been more valuable than Yadier Molina - and this is coming from a Brewer-fan who kind of despises Yadier Molina.

WCTYSON · Nov 17, 2014

sheetskout said:
Can you elaborate on this? Because I have a hard time believing Martin has been more valuable than Yadier Molina - and this is coming from a Brewer-fan who kind of despises Yadier Molina.

Until the 2011 season, Molina was putting up pedestrian offensive numbers. Molina is the best defensive catcher in the game but until his most recent seasons he was never much of an offensive contributor. Martin has rare qualities for a catcher. He is a mix of some power, some speed, decent OBP and solid defensively. He certainly is not better than what Molina is now but for the time span discussed he provided more value.

sheetskout · Nov 18, 2014

Russell Martin's contract is backloaded. Speculation is that the Jays will make more moves as this is a signal.

http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/11/18/russell-martins-contract-is-backloaded/

elmalo · Nov 18, 2014

sheetskout said:
This will be Martin's 4th team now. Please correct me if I'm wrong, but it always seems Martin goes where the money takes him. I don't see much loyalty from the guy....

Why should he be loyal?

sheetskout · Nov 18, 2014

elmalo said:
Why should he be loyal?

Not saying he necessarily should. He can do what he wants. I've just noticed he seems to sign and quickly with whomever tosses him the most money regardless of situation.

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