The Pittsburgh Pirates have offically announced today that they have signed former Yankees catcher Russell Martin to a 2-yr $17M contract. Sources close to the deal have said that the Yankees never even made Martin a offer of any kind, leaving Yankees fans to wounder who will be the starting catcher in 2013.
When asked about the news of Martin signing with the Pirates, GM Brian Cashman Said "Bench, RF, potentionally catching but maybe not. It's possible that our catchers are on this roster right now...we'll see." The current catchers on the Yankees roster are Cervelli, Stewart, and Romine.
Martin chose the Pirates becase he say's that he likes manager Clint Hurrdle and feels that the young Pirates team, "has a lot of potential". He wont be bringing much to Pittsburgh with his abt, but his solid defense and ability to handle his pitchers made a top catching target for the Pirates. He can also help the Pirates who threw out a league worst 8% of runner this past season.
As for the Yankees, they are really keeping their promise on reducing payroll by 2014 and after resigning Pettite and Rivera, might not be making many more splashes this off-season siging anymore free-agents, so are most likley to give the catchers they how now a shot next season.
Follow on Twitter, @GavinEwbank2012.
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