Thursday, May 22, 2008

Russell Martin's Agent: Playing A Little Greed(o)y?

Okay, the Star Wars theme of today's post is starting to stretch a bit...nevertheless, Jayson Stark says that Russell Martin's agent is not entertaining any of the Dodgers' overtures to sign a contract:

Russell Martin: You might be surprised that many people now casually refer to Martin as the best catcher in baseball. But though the other young contenders for that honor -- Victor Martinez, Joe Mauer, Brian McCann -- all signed multiyear deals early, Martin has had other ideas.

Dodgers GM Ned Colletti told Rumblings the club approached Martin's agent, Bob Garber, last fall and again this spring about a contract that most likely would have stretched through Martin's first year or two of free agency (i.e., through 2013 or '14). They were told, "No thanks."

So there are no immediate plans to resume that conversation. And there are no indications the Dodgers have approached any of their other young players -- such as James Loney, Jonathan Broxton or Chad Billingsley -- about any similar deals. But presumably, that's only because the club wants to let those players establish themselves. Colletti says his team has no fear of such a contract, as long as it goes to the right guy.

"If you know the person, and you know his priorities, and you know what kind of player he is now, and you know what kind of player you project him to be, and all those things are positive, then it's a great idea," the GM said. "But if you have any doubt about any of that, then you're really rolling the dice."

Tough talk from Ned, especially given the limited offensive options available on the current squad. Think this through further we must. Hmm.

8 comments:

Orel said...

Koona t'chuta, Solo?

Steve Sax said...

Jabba wa ninji koka otani catini wah nowskya. Ha, ha ha.

Orel said...

Chesko, Sebulba.

Steve Sax said...

Wizards!

karina said...

You should have paid him at the first chance you had. Now Jabba's put a price on your head so large, every bounty hunter in the galaxy will be looking for you. I'm lucky I found you first.

Orel said...

A Dodgers fan who quotes Star Wars...nice.

karina said...

"great minds think alike"

Dean H. said...

Ummmm...

What good is Colletti? He cannot scout (i.e. Edwin Jackson, Dioner Navarro). He cannot find value. He over-pays free agents.

His strength was dealing with agents.

Now, he can't get Martin locked up. He is useless.