11/7/14

Where Will Martin Go?

There are reportedly four teams who are negotiating with free agent catcher Russell Martin. The group of teams consists of the Pirates, Cubs, Dodgers, and Blue Jays. The Pirates have given Martin a qualifying offer worth $15.3 million for one year. He has spent the past two seasons with the Pirates and has helped them clinch back-to-back playoff berths. The Dodgers are another interesting option, as Martin began his Major League career in the Dodger blue. The Cubs could be an option for Martin due to their weak catching situation. During the 2014 season, the Cubs used Welington Castillo and John Baker as their catching tandem. In 110 games in the 2014 season, Castillo hit .237 with 13 home runs and 46 RBI while Baker hit .192 with no home runs and 15 RBI in 68 games. Baker caught nine base stealers out of 59 attempts for a 15% success rate. Castillo caught 28 out of 85 base stealers for a 33% success rate. Martin caught 37 of 96 in the 2014 season for a success rate of 39%. This is a good reason why Russell Martin would be a fit for the Cubs. The Blue Jays are an interesting possibility as well. Martin was born in Toronto, Ontario. Also, the Blue Jays are a team that is still in the rebuilding process and Martin could be the key piece that help bring the Blue Jays over the top. While there are multiple possibilities of places that he could go, it will be interesting to see what uniform Russell Martin will be wearing on Opening Day 2015.