Russell Martin seems to be hinting at wanting a long-term deal with the Dodgers. From Dylan Hernandez of the LA Times...
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"I'm always interested in a long-term deal," Martin said. "Who wouldn't be?"
On the day the Dodgers formally released Andruw Jones, owners Frank and Jamie McCourt invited Martin to a private lunch here [Camelback Ranch]. Martin, an All-Star in each of the last two years, then joined the McCourts on a media tour of the Dodgers' new spring home. Martin said the lunch was informal, and his contract status did not come up. He officially filed for salary arbitration Thursday -- as did Jonathan Broxton, Andre Ethier and Jason Repko -- and General Manager Ned Colletti said the Dodgers are "concentrating on a one-year [contract] at the moment." But Martin, who has changed agents this winter, said he hoped to discuss a long-term extension as well.
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I guess the real question is not whether or not to sign Martin to a multi-year deal, but as to how long. If he's the Dodgers starting catcher for the next 3-4 seasons, his health will be a concern. If he's given a start at third base once a week or so, combined with the occasional day off, Martin has a chance to stay away from the DL. Coletti had to be thinking that Martin was the long-term catching solution when he sent the Dodgers best catching prospect to the Indians in the Casey Blake trade last season.
Martin deserves a legitimate back-up catcher this season. The likes of Mike Lieberthal, Gary Bennett, and Danny Ardoin are not enough to spell Martin's defensive skills and/or replace his bat in the lineup. Brad Ausmus, Henry Blanco, and Ivan Rodriguez are among the free-agent catchers this off-season that the Dodgers should be looking at. Pudge would undoubtedly have the biggest price-tag of the three, considering that he calls Scott Boras his agent. Ausmus and Blanco don't swing a big bat, but their defense and game-calling abilities would suffice.
The Dodgers have made their goals for this offseason pretty clear, but they need to add a back-up catcher to that list....and then give Martin his due.
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4 comments:
Hey buddy, didn't mean to steal your thunder with the double posting of the arbitration news. I never checked the main page before publishing my post that I started then stopped for a few hours.
I wouldn't be opposed to offering Martin a 5 year $45 million dollar deal upon conclusion of this season. Thats assuming he keeps up his high level of play.
Now is the time to lock up the young guys. Especially since the overall market is down. I could see Martin signing for $7m/year for 4 to 7 years. Now is the time to lock up Ethier too, he is primed for his best season yet.
I would love Blanco, if only for the fact that he seems to be great at gunning down opposing base stealers.
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