12/21/24
December 16, 2010
Yankees Sign Catcher Russell Martin: The New York Yankees have reached a one-year, $4 million contract with All-Star catcher Russell Martin and will likely move Jorge Posada to designated hitter. Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman called Martin "low-risk, high reward."
Posada at 60 years old would be a better, more-clutch hitter than Martin
Posada is a liability as a catcher due to age, but would probably considered a top 5 DH in the AL. Yankees won't have a problem with 1 weak spot in the batting order unless a few other aging stars on the roster have bad years.
posted by cixelsyd at 05:20 PM on December 16, 2010
Posada had an 811 OPS last year. It'd put him somewhere around 6 or 7 depending on if you only count players who qualified at the position. Martin's a backup for them, not a big deal. It's unfair to act as though this is the Yankees response to other off-season moves. Posada can't catch any more, so they need a backup plan if that bobble-headed kid* can't handle it.
* I mean the Yankees' prospect, not Posada's son.
posted by yerfatma at 05:34 PM on December 16, 2010
Yeah, it's a good move. Martin has shown some skills previously, and he could surprise, but the move for Posada is definitely the best for the Yanks. Just so long as he isn't catching, that team improves. He can still hit.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 09:52 PM on December 16, 2010
This is like a door prize at a cheap party. Martin sucked in the NL, so I really don't envision him doing too much impact the AL East and their pitching. Maybe he'll prove me wrong, and it's only for one year. Posada at 60 years old would be a better, more-clutch hitter than Martin.