Yankees and Russell Martin avoid arbitration with one-year, $7.5 million deal
Jan 24, 2012, 7:10 PM EDT
Getty Images Anthony McCarron of the New York Daily News passes along word that the Yankees and Russell Martin have avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year contract. David Waldstein of the New York Times reports that he’ll make $7.5 million with the chance for $100,000 in performance-based incentives.
Martin requested $8.2 million and was offered $7 million from the Yankees when arbitration figures were exchanged a week ago, so they’ll meet at the midpoint if he reaches all incentives.
Martin joined the Yankees last offseason on a one-year, $4 million deal after being non-tendered by the Dodgers. The 28-year-old backstop batted .237/.324/.408 with 18 homers, 65 RBI and a .732 OPS in 2011 while throwing out 30 percent of attempted basestealers. He can become a free agent next offseason.
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- yankeesgameday - Jan 24, 2012 at 8:01 PM
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He had them over a barrell.
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- henryd3rd - Jan 24, 2012 at 8:26 PM
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Yes; but the Yanks know the art of the deal so I don’t think this is the last thing you’ll hear on that issue
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- uyf1950 - Jan 25, 2012 at 5:46 AM
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“He can become a free agent next off season.” I’d say the chances are very good he becomes a FA next off season. In any case the Yankees won’t keep him past the 2013 season. Not if they intend on getting to the $189MM luxury tax threshold for 2014.
Martin and his $8 to $10MM future salary are a luxury the Yankees can NOT afford if they want to get to the tax threshold going forward. Plus by 2013 Romine should be more then capable of filling in at a 1/10th the cost. Then by 2015 if all works according to plans Sanchez will probably be the starting catcher.
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- proudlycanadian - Jan 25, 2012 at 7:00 AM
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Fiscal sanity in the Bronx! Who would have thunk it?!
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- homelanddefense - Jan 25, 2012 at 2:35 PM
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wow, that is a lot of cash for a guy who batted .237
