MLB Network insider Jon Heyman reports that the Mets have “checked in on” free agent catcher Russell Martin, as have the Oakland Athletics. Martin, who turned 37 on the 15th, has already turned down offers this winter, citing a family situation (first mentioned last week by the New York Post’s Joel Sherman). He appeared in 83 games with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2019, slashing...
With the signing of Nicholas Castellanos agreeing to a deal with the Cincinnati Reds Monday afternoon, all of the top tier free agents are gone. But there are some intriguing names that could potentially be a great fit in Queens. Russell Martin With the Mets backup catchers position questionable at best, a veteran like Martin is someone who can come in and be a great veteran leader, ala Todd...
This was a historically strange week for the New York Mets. Relieving manager Carlos Beltran of his duties — whether it was necessary or not, which is inconsequential at this point — for his role in the Houston Astros’ sign-stealing scandal leaves New York in a precarious position with less than a month out from pitchers and catchers reporting to Port St. Lucie. As complicated...
Major League Baseball’s offseason continues to trudge on. Let’s have a look at what’s cooking on the hot stove. Cardinals Make Strong Pitch For Arenado According to Bruce Levine of 670 AM The Score in Chicago, the St. Louis Cardinals are prepared to part with arguably their top prospect and three solid major leaguers in exchange for Colorado Rockies’ third baseman, Nolan...
As the Mets embarked on the offseason, Brodie Van Wagenen specifically said the Mets were looking to upgrade over Tomas Nido as a backup catching option. Given Wilson Ramos’ durability concerns, Nido’s 40 wRC+, and pitchers like Noah Syndergaard pushing for a personal catcher, you could understand Van Wagenen’s position. However, as it stands today, the Mets appear as if they...
Russell Martin Position: C Bats/Throws: R/R Age: 2/15/83 (36) Traditional Stats: .220/.337/.330, 5 2B, 6 HR, 20 RBI, SB Advanced Stats: 0.8 bWAR, 1.2 fWAR, 79 OPS+, 83 wRC+ Defensive Stats: 2 DRS, 5.6 FRM, 6.2 FRAA. 3.0 RAA The days of Russell Martin being an All-Star catcher and Silver Slugger are long gone. As he has aged, Martin has reinvented himself as a defensive specialist, who is coming...
The New York Mets enter the 2018 Major League Baseball Winter Meetings with numerous holes still to fill despite new GM Brodie Van Wagenen being aggressive early on. Van Wagenen got his elite reliever in Edwin Diaz and improved the Mets offense by acquiring Robinson Cano in just one deal. The Mets have been front and center thus far this offseason in rumors as well, ranging from being open to...
Good morning Mets fans, and happy Friday! While time seems to have stood still through the Mets’ negotiations with the Seattle Mariners over Robinson Cano and Edwin Diaz, there were, in fact, other headlines around baseball yesterday that will certainly shape the rest of the offseason. Blue Jays Shopping Martin, Pirates Trying to Move Cervelli Yahoo Sports’ Jeff Passan has the scoop...
The New York Mets now travel to Dunedin, Fla. to play the Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday afternoon. The veteran Bartolo Colon gets the start for the Mets and opposes right-hander Aaron Sanchez for the Jays in a 1:07 PM match-up. The Mets have not visited Dunedin since March 18, 1989. Adam Rubin reports that during that game the two teams had some “scuffles which included Darryl Strawberry...
Jon Heyman of CBS Sports is reporting that catcher Russell Martin has signed a 5 year deal with the Toronto Blue Jays. He also confirmed via Twitter that the deal will be worth $82 million over that time span. In 111 games for the Pittsburgh Pirates last season, Martin posted career highs in OBP (.402) and WAR (5.3). He hit .290, posted an .832 OPS, cranked 11 home runs and knocked in 67 RBIs,...
It’s a fact of life not awfully appealing to Met fans. In baseball, as with most things in life, in order to actualize the goals and successes you aspire, you’re going to have to give something up. That’s often a trademark of a professional athlete, musical performer, business executive, or anyone who acquires the skills that place them in the top tier of their profession. In muddling through...
Pedro Alvarez Homers In Pirates 3-2 Win In front of a full house tonight at beautiful PNC Park, we were treated to a good, old fashioned (and quite frankly unexpected) pitcher’s duel between Jeremy Hefner and Charlie Morton, as the Mets battled the Pirates to open up their last set before the All-Star break. The Bucs got off to a quick start in the bottom of the first when Pedro Alvarez (oh,...
