13
2012
Mets Should Stay Far Away From Russell Martin
An article by 
The New York Post’s Joel Sherman wrote that the Mets should look to sign catcher Russell Martin if the Yankees decide to let him walk at the end of the season.
Sherman said that Martin is already used to playing in New York and that the Mets are “desperate to add power, and Martin’s 21 homers were eighth among catchers in the majors this season.”
You can look at Martin’s gritty attitude and intangibles and the fact that he’s a three-time All-Star, but in the end, we better not see Martin in orange and blue in 2013.
Even Boomer Esiason and Craig Carton on WFAN this morning thought this idea was ludicrous. Why on earth would the Mets want to spend upwards of $7 million per season on a deteriorating catcher?
Not deteriorating, you may think? Well, just look at the stats from his days with Dodgers. He was a legitimate offensive threat in Los Angeles, but he has a combined .224 batting average in his two years in the Bronx.
Since reaching his career-high batting average (.293) in 2007, he’s progressively decreased in hitting each successive year before hitting a career-low .211 this season.
You may also be saying that Martin has tremendous power for a catcher. Well, he’s been the beneficiary of the short left field porch at Yankee Stadium. He hit 13 of his 21 homers at home this season.
Martin’s lack of offensive production has been overshadowed in a Yankees’ lineup that features eight other All-Stars. He usually hits eighth or ninth, and any offense from him is considered a bonus rather than an expected contribution.
Martin would be a defensive upgrade at catcher for the Mets, but frankly, the Mets would be better off saving the money than worrying about defense.
In the Mets weak lineup, Martin would most likely be hitting sixth and would be expected to be a run producer, which is something he’s not.
The Mets would be wise to stick with what they have over adding Martin. Kelly Shoppach’s career numbers are slightly below Martin’s, since Shoppach has been primarily a backup. However, Shoppach’s 162-game home run average (20) is higher than Martin’s (16).
While this move definitely doesn’t make sense for the Mets, letting Martin walk would make even less sense for the Yankees. With Jesus Montero in Seattle and prospect Austin Romine playing in just 31 games this season, there’s really no other potential starting catcher than Martin in the Yankees’ system.
But knowing the Yankees, they’ll probably let Martin walk then pull off a blockbuster deal for Buster Posey (obviously unlikely, but you get the point).
A Shoppach/Josh Thole platoon may not be the answer, but it’s a safer bet then gambling on Martin.
About the Author: Jim Mancari
Jim Mancari hails from Massapequa, N.Y. He recently earned a Master's degree in Journalism at Hofstra University. He is a devout Mets fan and takes pride in his team, despite their lack of success over the last few years. Like all Mets fans, Jim has plenty of hope. He also writes as the sports reporter for the Brooklyn Tablet newspaper and the senior editor of metroBASEBALL Magazine. Click my name to view my personal website.
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NL East Standings
| Team | W | L | Pct. | GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Braves | 42 | 30 | .583 | - |
| Phillies | 35 | 37 | .486 | 7.0 |
| Nationals | 34 | 36 | .486 | 7.0 |
| Mets | 27 | 40 | .403 | 12.5 |
| Marlins | 22 | 48 | .314 | 19.0 |
Last updated: 06/19/2013
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This should have happened two years ago, but in Sandy’s defense, Thole had a strong 2010 and a lot of people liked him and his upside. Didn’t quite work out that way.
Yes, and this is why I strongly oppose the Mets idea of “upside”. The way they saw Thole and his “upside”, do you really expect much better from Lucas Duda and his “upside”?
Agreed. There was a lot of “Thanks, Omar” talk here around the break when the Mets were playing well because it was all these kids who looked so promising that were playing well and had “upside.” Now, here we are.
Flow,
I was thinking the exact thing. I want know part of R. Martin. Interesting how the Dodgers keep developing good catchers.
Is there a list of quality catchers available either via FA or Trade?
There’s nothing that meets the eye among catchers via FA (although I like Gerald Laird and David Ross).
Via trade? I don’t know a lot of them off hand, but I’d like to go after another Dodger farmhand, Carlos Santana. Switch hitter that can rake (25-30 HR type) and has good defense. Not to mention the ridiculously cheap 5 year, $21 million contract he has. Cleveland is a wasteland when it comes to their roster and needs as much help as they can get.
I too like Santana. I remember when he first got called up. What would it take to get him.
Indians would ask for pitching first & foremost, so maybe offer a couple of the guys we have in high A plus a ML ready guy.
I don’t know how the Pirates value him, but they have a kid in AA named Charlie Cutler they took from the Cardinals. Cutler’s career minor league stats are .296/.407/.421 and he’s hit at every level. The only time he’s struggled was in 2010 when he was initially promoted to AA. He started in AA in 2011 and killed it, so he can make adjustments. He’s 26 and real old for his league, though. He’s thrown out 25% of base stealers in his career, which is nice, but there’s not much else known about his defense. There’s a chance he doesn’t even catch in the majors. I’d like to know more about him.
Joel Sherman is the 2nd to last guy I would want the Mets to listen to. Mike Francesca being first.
The problem is that this FO can’t evaluate, period. I don’t trust what they think is upside. I’m worried about every and any move they may make.
And No, Russell Martin, I’ll pass.
I agree no Martin, maybe 5 years ago, but not now!
The Yanks have a huge prospect that’ll probably be ready by 2014. Starting catcher, awesome bat. Gary Sanchez. He’s the reason they felt comfortable trading Montero. Martin was doing well enough in their already stacked lineup, and this kid was just a few yrs away.
Problem is, like Montero, Sanchez’s achilles heel is his defense. Here’s the breakdown about his defense:
“Flat out bad behind the plate. Frequently boxes pitches and doesn’t receive well. Struggles handling premium velocity and any type of breaking ball. Doesn’t consistently put in the work to improve behind the plate. Lacks ability to keep the ball in front of him. Doesn’t move well. Struggles calling games and displaying leadership on the field. Will flash plus catch-and-throw skills with occasionally quick feet, a quick transfer and a plus arm. Very unlikely he remains behind the plate. Move to first base is very possible.”
Uh, like Thole is any better?
Agreed, the last thing the mets need is another detiriorating player. We need to learn from our Jason Bay mistake and stay away from players who’s stats are going downhill.
Best way of getting a top catcher is through the minor league system…
Juan Centeno has thrown out over 45% of base-stealers the past few years…the kid is only 21 and o by the way…he can hit too…
for some odd reason….everyone is ignoring him…but Kevin Plaweki is on the radar?
this was his age 22 season in Bingo.
his biggest weakness is lack of any power. His numbers this year were almost identical to what Ruben tejada put up. Decent BA, lowish OBP, and zippo power (slugging and HRs).
…ummm…calling a game and defense are the MOST important parts of being a catcher…the fact that he can do those 2 things, hit for decent avg is good enough…the guy does not have to be johnny bench..
there is a difference between .285 in AA and doing it in the majors. And even a defense first catcher has to offer some offense.
You are 100% correct Damaja,
Unfortunately in these stat-drunk times where Fantasy Baseball people rule the blogoshere they are under the false impression now that each and every baseball single player on a team must fit an offensive criteria, including speed and be statistically appealing in just about every category..and some new ones as well! Which in real life is not the case and never should be the case.
If Thole had the defense of a Jerry Grote I and i’m sure a few others would say keep him but still just get a right-handed complement to him.
But he doesn’t, his defense took a big step back as well as his hitting and in my opinion will Thole will never possess the defense and makeup that I think is good enough to handle a pitching staff for a contender. Never. Even though I think his offense will get better and he’s not as bad as he showed this year (maybe due to Hudgens’ approach?) he will still never be the catcher that i am looking for to be part of a winning “unit”.
Just_Da, people don’t think like that anymore. Now they look for every – single – damned player to have a nice OBP, a nice SLG and a NICE OPS.
Jerry Grote would have been GONE before you can say 1969 and 1973 if Sandy were around back then. And if Sandy were not around and fans were as stupid with numbers then as they are now then they would have wanted him gone because of his stupid useless OBP, OPS, and SLG. I don’t know Jerry Grote’s stupid OBP, OPS, or SLG but i do know he was a SOLID catcher, not so great hitter but probably one of the best defensive and most respected catchers to ever to put on the tools of ignorance.
These people now are so numbers drunk it winds up working against them more often than not.
Yawn.
Yeah…Martin is way worse than Thole and Shoppach’s combined .227 average with 4 HRs with 31 RBI’s and 17 doubles in 2012. Doesn’t matter…the Mets aren’t giving $7 million to anyone. Hell, they will probably offer Wright and Dickey a combined $7 million per year beyond 2013.
Don’t worry they will….
When people use the word intangibles it means they are stupid.