Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Fare Thee Well, Russell Martin

Russell Martin is joining the Yankees, according to ESPN reports:

Spurned by Cliff Lee, the New York Yankees reportedly began spending the money that was to be allotted to the left-handed ace by agreeing to a contract with catcher Russell Martin, MLB.com reported.

Terms were not available, according to MLB.com, which reported that the deal is expected to be officially announced later Tuesday.

The former Los Angeles catcher was nontendered this month after the Dodgers refused to meet his demand for a guaranteed $5 million deal.

The Red Sox also had made an offer to Martin. [...]

Martin is likely to assume starting catcher duties for the Yankees next season while Jorge Posada becomes the team's full-time designated hitter.

Posada batted only .248 last season with 18 home runs and 57 RBIs in 120 games. The switch hitter has been limited by injuries since his last All-Star season, 2007, when he hit a career high .338 with 20 home runs and 90 RBIs. Posada caught 83 games last season, was DH 28 games and played first base once.

I'm not surprised, but I am still saddened. Good luck, Russell.

UPDATE 9:43a: For those of you still holding out hope that Russell could be a Dodger in 2011, MLB Trade Rumors reminds us that a physical for JMart is not a formality. They also indicate that Boston's interest was limited, with little guaranteed money on the table (guess all of that went to Carl Crawford).

hat tip to SoSG Dusty Baker for the news

UPDATE 12/15, 6:25 a.m.: From @Buster_ESPN:

Martin's deal with the Yankees is for a $4 million base salary.

Martin turned down the Dodgers' offer of $4.2 million plus incentives.

UPDATE 12/16, 9:26a: Hold out hope no longer. It's done.

25 comments:

Kyle Baker said...

Break a leg, Russell!*

Remember to slide!

We'll miss you, Coltrane. (cries)

*Not really. It's just a phrase.

Kyle Baker said...

Just noted your sad Colin Cowherd-related news cycle on JMart, Josh. That's tough!

Josh S. said...

I did giggle a bit when Colin called him chunky. I'm awful.

Josh S. said...

And yes, I listen to Colin Cowherd in the morning sometimes, usually during Kevin & Bean commercial breaks. I'm not a satellite-subscriber, so I have to take what sports talk I can get sometimes.

Erin said...

At least now my long-standing hatred for Martin will be justified.

Josh S. said...

Hi Erin! Long time, no see!

Nostradamus said...

Yeah, no kidding! We kinda trashed the place while you were gone, though...

Erin said...

Hi, guys. Sorry for the long absence. Live has thrown me a few curves lately. Still trying to get back on that figurative horse. But I've been lurking around here when I can.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Le sigh.

Fred's Brim said...

FB SAD!

but FB HAPPY to see Erin again

Pistol Pete Reiser said...

It's a damned shame to see such promise decline, then walk. But, it was mutual, and respectful enough, I suppose.

Why go to Yankees, J Mart? Boston's got a future (they bought theirs this past week)

So, today, the company I work for issued an email out saying the WS trophy is going to be here on-site, available for picture-taking, gawking, pissing on, etc. The Chuckers are all riled up, on their little hind paws, yapping. Absolutely fucking annoying.

Josh S. said...

So what's the Christmas present disappointment equivalent for Yankee fans hoping Cliff Lee and getting Russell Martin?

Maybe expecting a Wii and getting Triple Header Sports?

Or hoping for a Kindle and getting a used book from Goodwill that someone farted on?

Nostradamus said...

Give'em hell, Pete.

Steve Sax said...

@Josh S: I got me a Kinect. Good times.

Nostradamus said...

@Sax

Lookit you with the fancy toys!

Josh S. said...

@Sax: Let me know how "Get Fit With Mel B" is.

I heard it's scary.

MR.F said...

I hate cars and they hate me =(.

Josh S. said...

MACHINE NO KOBE BESTY FRIEND NO MORE?

spank said...

"No Mo'! , No Mo'!"

karina said...

I'm mourning :(

my Dodgers won't be the same and it really pisses me off the Dodgers let my son go. So you know, the Yankees have at least 2 catching prospects,one who's been playing on and off in a MLB level and succeeding, the other one still on the Minors,playing to the expectations of a two-million signing bonus for a Latin player.

There must be something the Yankees see/know about my son than the Dodgers have clumsily ignored.When I first heard of this,I totally pictured my son hitting .280. 15 HRs, 80 RBIs, holding a World Series trophy.

*sighs*

STOOPID DODGERS

rbnlaw said...

Meh, had to happen, me thinks. He will be in good company in the Big Yapple. Posada's numbers have sucked (but not as much as J.Mart's)for as long, but his career has been pretty stellar.

It will be interesting to see how long the NY media give ol' Russ a pass for being the new guy. I know they loved Jose Molina for about an hour when he was there.

Pistol Pete Reiser said...

So far, they haven't caught on that I'm mocking their upcoming Trophy Day. Not surprising, really. Comments such as "So Social Security will be defunct on your next Trophy Day, right?" and "The Dodgers have a work-week full of Trophy Days" don't seem to jump that last synapse in their brain stems, or whatever pre-Sapien equivalent they allegedly possess.

Still, I've thrown my name in the hat to be one of the "lucky" few allowed a more up-close and personal photo op beside the Grand Oyster Pube Cup. Professional decorum would dictate I'd have to at most hold my nose against the wretched stench for the photo, though, in my mind, I'd certainly want to hang a Blue Rope into their Cup. If ya know what I mean...

Kyle Baker said...

So many things here...

1) Josh you keep cracking me up during conference workshops when I'm reading SoSG . The farted on book not Kindle is just too rich. As is Colin Cowherd getting your sloppy seconds during Kevin and Bean commercial breaks. True LA through and through you are.

2) Got DAYUM, Erin, we've missed you!

3) Pistol Pete: take an Uzi to work on trophy day. But take a claw hammer, too, and make them really hurt before they dieDieDIE!!!

4) I'm feeling for you the most re JMart, Karina. It does hurt given his potential. But the sad fact is that it probably was the right thing to do given his untimely and premature decline. Look on the bright side: you rocked the TOFU test!

5) Big Yapple. Heh. Always something new and better from RBN.

6) It is fuckin COLD up in dis DC bish!

spank said...

Hey Guero! You should make a bonfire in a trash can in front of 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. and sing the Dodger blues,Holmes.

Steve Sax said...

@Pistol, you gotta send us a pic if you get selected

@Dusty, stay warm...I was in Northeast snowfall 2 weeks ago...glad I live where I do

@karina, I missed it; how did your toefl test go? When do you get results?