Russell Martin to Bucs after 2 yr 17 million dollar deal

[banny]

Looks like Pittsburgh will acquire Yanks catcher Russell Martin. I like it as a Pirate fan. A lot of money to pay, but the defensive catching of Barajas, especially was so bad, something had to be done. I lot of people don't like his low BA and the fact that he's a righty hitting in PNC, but people always complain if the Pirates don't spend money, now they spent some and you can't have it both ways.

[BigRon]

I haven't followed him closely the past few years-don't know if he's got any significant wear and tear issues/other physical problems. He has been deteriorating as a hitter, but has kept up/improved his power- no surprise as you get older. IF he can stay healthy, play 125 games, hit .240 or more with the same power he's showed for the past few years, still take walks- it'll be pretty good for the Pirates. That's quite a few ifs, but they had to do something to help the C position.

[GiambiJuice]

Good signing by the Pirates.

[RaysFan_98]

Didn't the yanks offer him two years 14mill?

[Ben Grimm]

CBS is saying Yankees never formally gave him an offer. Texas came in at about 2/$13M and Pittsburgh gave him two options - 2/$17M & 3/$21M.

EDIT: now I'm hearing the Yanks offered 2 years somewhere in the $12-$14M range.

[BeatEmBucs]

It's an upgrade over Barajas, that alone makes it a good signing.

[Ben Grimm]

I thought the Bucs had a decent C for this season in McKenry. I wouldn't be surprised if he produces pretty much what Martin does at much less cost. I'd rather have seen the Pirates go after somebody like Stephen Drew to partner up with Walker to solidify the middle infield and either float Barmes for a bullpen piece or use him as a UT all over the place.

[Joltin' Joe]

I'm a little surprised at how much the Bucs paid. I understand that good catchers are very scarce these days but, still....

I wonder what the NYY are planning to do about that position....:ooo:

[GiambiJuice]

I'm a little surprised at how much the Bucs paid. I understand that good catchers are very scarce these days but, still....

I wonder what the NYY are planning to do about that position....:ooo:

Joe Mauer. You heard it hear first.

[RaysFan_98]

Joe Mauer. You heard it hear first.

But i thought the yanks were trying to get bellow the 189 line.

[Ben Grimm]

Joe Mauer. You heard it hear first.

I don't see it happening - at least not this year. The Twins still pulled in 2.8 million thru the gate last year, and Maur's one of the very few draws. If the attendance downtrends closer to 2M, he could be moved but I don't think that'll come about until the deadline next year at the earliest.

[RubeBaker]

They do have some options in the minors. Austin Romine was in the majors for a bit this past season, but he has barely spent any time in AAA and didn't look all that great in the 70 or so PAs he had there. To ask him to become the starter at this point would probably be asking way too much of him.

I think Gary Sanchez is the guy they want for the future, but he only played in high A ball this year so he's in the same boat as Romine.

Mike Napoli and AJ Pierzynski are still on the market, but they'll command a high price tag with multiple years. So if they're building from within, I think the move would be to go after a 1 year deal with a veteran at a good price. Someone like Rod Barajas or Miguel Olivo. Not the most popular or most productive choice, but probably the better for the long term.

[Ben Grimm]

After looking things over, I think the biggest improvement that the Bucs are getting here will be keeping baserunners from advancing so much. The Pirates allowed the most SBs (154) in MLB last season with much of it the cause of Barajas' inability to get runners out (6% CS rate). Overall, the Pirates nabbed runners at a 12% clip and that's only becuase McKenry did fairly well. Martin's pretty solid gunning down potential basestealers (was around 20% last season) so those free passes should be greatly reduced.

[Rich the Giants fan]

I love this move because he didn't sign with the Yankees. I don't love this move because I'd like to see the Pirates do well someday.