SB Nation Boston - Russell Martin Reportedly Picks Yankees, Agrees To Terms With New Yorkhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48863/boston-fave.png2010-12-14T11:16:20-05:00http://boston.sbnation.com/rss/stream/16307662010-12-14T11:16:20-05:002010-12-14T11:16:20-05:00Russell Martin, Yankees Reportedly Agree To Contract
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/jjLHUmtSDznRZQXE-EfmQpii0IU=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828103/large_boston.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>A day after missing out on pitcher Cliff Lee, the Yankees have reportedly agreed to terms with free agent catcher Russell Martin, this according to <a href="http://mlb.mlblogs.com/archives/2010/12/yankees_come_to_terms_with_rus.html">MLB.com's Alden Gonzalez</a>. (Because the Yankees had to steal SOMETHING from the Red Sox this offseason.) Details are not yet known but it's likely a <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/Ken_Rosenthal/statuses/14712182080020480">one-year deal</a>. </p>
<p>
<meta charset="utf-8">
</p>
<p>While terms of the deal have not been made available, it's likely that New York's offer increased markedly after they were made aware that Cliff Lee would not be signing with them. It had previously been reported that Martin had contract offers from both the Boston Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays, and as<a href="http://boston.sbnation.com/boston-red-sox/2010/12/9/1867224/red-sox-are-seen-as-the-favorite-to-sign-russell-martin"> recently as Thursday</a> Boston was seen as the favorites to land the catcher. </p>
<p>Martin will likely be the Yankees every day catcher with Jorge Posada moving to a DH role. </p>
<p>Martin, who will turn 28 years old in February, hit .248/.347/.332 in just 97 games with the Dodgers in 2010; he tore the labrum in his hip in August, forcing him to miss the rest of the season. The Dodgers non-tendered him earlier this month.</p>
https://boston.sbnation.com/boston-red-sox/2010/12/14/1875711/russell-martin-red-sox-rumors-yankees-deal-mlbRyan Durling2010-12-09T20:32:24-05:002010-12-09T20:32:24-05:00Red Sox Seen As Favorite To Sign Russell Martin
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/jjLHUmtSDznRZQXE-EfmQpii0IU=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828103/large_boston.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>According to ESPN.com's Buster Olney, the Red Sox are considered the front-runner to sign free agent catcher Russell Martin.</p>
<blockquote>
<div class="tweet-row">
<div class="tweet-text tweet-text-large"><em>Heard this: Boston is viewed as the front-runner for Russell Martin at this point, according to folks with knowledge of the talks.</em></div>
<div class="tweet-text tweet-text-large"><em></em></div>
<div class="tweet-text tweet-text-large"><em>-Buster Olney (<a href="http://twitter.com/#!/Buster_ESPN/status/12985651620216832">via Twitter</a>)</em></div>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p>The Red Sox are viewing Martin as strictly a starting catcher and not a utility infielder, unlike other suitors which include the New York Yankees, and Toronto Blue Jays.</p>
<p>The Blue Jays already have a catching tandem which includes rookie A.J. Arencibia and veteran Jose Molina. The Blue Jays have said they would like Martin to play other positions like third base, however Martin still believes he can be an everyday catcher. Martin is a native of Canada, which could sway his interest in playing in his home country. </p>
<p>The Yankees have also expressed interest in Martin as a part-time catcher with backstops Jorge Posada and rookie Jesus Montero already on the Major League roster. The Yankees appear to be focused on Cliff Lee, but remain very engaged with Martin and his agent, Matt Colleran.</p>
<p>The Red Sox have said that they are comfortable with Jason Varitek and Jarrod Saltalamacchia behind the plate in 2011. But with their recent acquisitions of Carl Crawford and Adrian Gonzalez, they are looking to upgrade in a various amounts of areas. Martin would be a clear upgrade over Saltalamacchia as he is a better offensive catcher and a slightly better defensive catcher.</p>
https://boston.sbnation.com/boston-red-sox/2010/12/9/1867224/red-sox-are-seen-as-the-favorite-to-sign-russell-martinbostonsportsguy172010-12-09T15:51:37-05:002010-12-09T15:51:37-05:00Report: Red Sox Make Contract Offer To Free Agent Russell Martin
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/jjLHUmtSDznRZQXE-EfmQpii0IU=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828103/large_boston.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p><span>Adrian Gonzalez</span> on Monday, <span>Carl Crawford</span> late Wednesday night and now <span>Russell Martin</span> on Thursday? The <a href="https://www.overthemonster.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Boston Red Sox</a> are apparently not done with what is already one of their biggest offseasons in franchise history -- according to <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/GordonEdes/statuses/12968163427745792">ESPN's Gordon Edes</a>, they have put in an offer for Russell Martin, a 27-year old free agent catcher who has spent his five-year career with the <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Los Angeles Dodgers</a>. </p>
<p>One thing is for certain at this point, and that is Martin will wind up in the American League East: the Red Sox are competing against the <a href="https://www.pinstripealley.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">New York Yankees</a> and <a href="https://www.bluebirdbanter.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Toronto Blue Jays</a> for his services. </p>
<p>On Wednesday, Boston was said to be <a href="http://boston.sbnation.com/boston-red-sox/2010/12/8/1863617/red-sox-rumors-russell-martin-mlb-winter-meetings">making a "strong push"</a> for Martin, apparently not comfortable with the idea of <span>Jason Varitek</span> and <span>Jarrod Saltalamacchia</span> behind the plate for 2011. Martin is a right-handed hitter. </p>
<p>Martin, who will turn 28 years old in February, hit .248/.347/.332 in just 97 games with the Dodgers in 2010; he tore the labrum in his hip in August, forcing him to miss the rest of the season. Because of those injury concerns, the Dodgers opted not to tender him (while discussing a trade with the New York Yankees), allowing him to become a free agent. For what it's worth, the Sox had already obtained Martin's medical reports.</p>
https://boston.sbnation.com/2010/12/9/2326068/report-red-sox-make-contract-offer-to-free-agent-russell-martinRyan Hudson