Comments on: The Pirates may offer Russell Martin a three-year deal

By: protius

protius — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 06:27:07 +0000

Romain is a kind of lettuce, isn’t it?

Yes, I’ll have the Cervelli salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions, Romain lettuce and the spicy Sanchez dressing. She’ll have the same.

By: tuberippin

tuberippin — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 22:43:29 +0000

As much as the Pirates need a new catcher, that is a serious overpay for a guy that hasn’t been all that great since his early days in Los Angeles blue. 25 million to be alright defensively and fairly putrid offensively seems like a continuation of the poor front-office decisions that have been plaguing the Pirates for two decades now.

I commend the Pittsburgh brass for being willing to spend to get back into competition, but put your money in the right places; it’s just like when they stated they were willing to trade for quality players at the deadline, and then they go out and get Gaby Sanchez and Travis Snider and Wandy Rodriguez.

By: Carl Hancock

Carl Hancock — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 22:32:40 +0000

The Yanks should stay firm. A 3 year deal for a guy who has only garnered 1 year deals the last 2 years is stupid. The 4 year deal he wants? Insane.

I know the Pirates don’t have much to play for but it always cracks me up when teams like the Pirates and the Royals sign a veteran player to stupid deals. It’s not like they’re going to make the team a contender.

By: djpostl

djpostl — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 19:55:29 +0000

Then offer that douche from Chicago a deal to replace Martin =0

By: joewilliesshnoz

joewilliesshnoz — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 19:42:44 +0000

Desperate move by a desperate team .

By: anxovies

anxovies — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 18:46:49 +0000

Church – Having watched almost every Yankee game the last 2 years I can telly that the guy has played hurt since he got here. He has had back problems and injuries to his hands and legs. He is one tough guy and plays through injuries that would sit others down, which is one of the things I like about him. The Yankees have a lot of slider and cutter pitchers which leads to a lot of foul balls and takes a toll on catchers.

By: anxovies

anxovies — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 18:27:45 +0000

Get real. Romaine is a mediocre defensive catcher and hitter, and Sanchez is a 20 year old kid who has only A ball experience and got sent back to low A because he had an attitude problem and hasn’t shown much in the field. Cervelli has some defensive tools but no power whatsoever and he hit .246 in a full season at AAA last year.

By: churchoftheperpetuallyoutraged

churchoftheperpetuallyoutraged — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 18:21:47 +0000

His problem has been that he has been banged up his entire Yankee career.

Was he? I honestly don't remember but he played 125 games his first year and 133 last year. Granted it's not like his LAD days, but they ran him into the ground.

I think he’s one of the biggest culprits because he’s always trying to Yank it out of the park.

It's possible he tries to do that, but remember, it worked great in Game 1 against the Orioles in the ALDS when they were tied 2-2 in the top of the 9th and he hit a HR off Jim Johnson.

By: anxovies

anxovies — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 18:14:41 +0000

The wild-spending Pirates are bad for baseball. Let’s hear it Pirate-haters.

By: anxovies

anxovies — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 18:13:08 +0000

Correct, church, he is a much better catcher than the others on the market despite the low BA. His problem has been that he has been banged up his entire Yankee career. Remember that when he was healthy he hit in the .280s with LA. And he will be only 30 yrs old in 2013.

By: deathmonkey41

deathmonkey41 — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 18:02:42 +0000

The Yanks have way too many pull-happy hitters that don’t advance runners in critical situations. I think he’s one of the biggest culprits because he’s always trying to Yank it out of the park. I believe it was him that came up in extra innings against Detroit after Ibanez had tied it up, had Ichiro on second with no outs, and pulled the ball weakly to the left side, so the runner couldn’t advance to 3rd with no outs. I’d rather have a weak-hitting Cervelli there, willing to bunt or at the very least give himself up by hitting the ball to the right side.

By: churchoftheperpetuallyoutraged

churchoftheperpetuallyoutraged — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 17:36:23 +0000

He had an above average walk rate (10.7%) and above average power (.192 ISO) while being hurt by BABIP (.222 vs career .286). He’s also a great defensive catcher per the papers by Mike Fast and Max Marchi of Baseball Prospectus as well as being one of the younger Yankees.

Don’t just look at BA when judging a player as you can miss all the other benefits a player brings.

By: deathmonkey41

deathmonkey41 — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 17:15:44 +0000

Don’t worry- someday that will change and revenues will be shared. Derek Jeter can finally have the contract and happiness he deserves. No more toiling away in obscurity, never tasting success on the field, dating homely-looking women, and living in a modest house for the Captain. Just keep the faith, man.

By: deathmonkey41

deathmonkey41 — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 16:49:40 +0000

Yeah, I mean he was a pretty decent catcher, but I rather have someone that can situational hit than be jumping out of his shoes trying to hit a home run every time he’s up at bat.

By: cur68

cur68 — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 16:38:54 +0000

Yep. Sr & Jr. Amazes me too.

By: b453841l

b453841l — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 16:25:22 +0000

His name is Russell Nathan Jeanson Coltrane Martin, Jr, which means there are/were at least TWO Russell Nathan Jeanson Coltrane Martins. That’s a bet I would have lost…

By: alexo0

alexo0 — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 16:20:04 +0000

“The dollars almost always win.”

Unless those dollars are in Pittsburgh.

By: ptfu

ptfu — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 16:12:34 +0000

No, prosourcetalk meant shortstop. Though I guess you’re right in that Martin > Barmes at catcher too.

http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/11/25/russell-martin-might-play-shortstop-for-canada-in-wbc/

By: magicrat13

magicrat13 — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 16:01:58 +0000

i think he was referring to the yankees and their prospects…

By: nategearhart

nategearhart — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 16:00:25 +0000

This is why I hate baseball, the Yankees are just a farm team for the Pirates. There’s no competitive balance.
/sarcasm

By: jmp527

jmp527 — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 15:51:11 +0000

It’s been since July since one of our prospects got a chance. Does Starling Marte ring a bell. How about Jeff Locke? Pedro was called up early. Jose Tabata too.

They need a big league catcher. Martin would a very large hole left by Hot Rod.

By: steelpenbucs87

steelpenbucs87 — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 15:47:17 +0000

Seems too much. Obvious upgrade over Barajas but I still think we’re overpaying.

I would be fine with Fort and Sanchez behind the plate and spend that money on a shortstop

By: sicklnick121

sicklnick121 — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 15:45:11 +0000

If he is gonna bat below .200 ill take my chances with cervelli and prospects Romain and Sanchez, Its been awhile since we let one of our prospects get a chance

By: sicklnick121

sicklnick121 — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 15:40:23 +0000

backstop?

By: hushbrother

hushbrother — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 15:23:07 +0000

He’d be an upgrade over Barajas. But then, so would a piece of plywood with a rectangle painted on it.

By: magicrat13

magicrat13 — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 15:12:32 +0000

guess this says everything we need to know about tony sanchez (mr. no thanks matt wieters)…..

By: chill1184

chill1184 — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 15:11:21 +0000

Well the Pirates did get a solid year with A.J. Burnett why not roll the dice again?

By: prosourcetalk

prosourcetalk — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 15:08:22 +0000

Ha, the high-bidding Pirates. I love it.

He’s gotta be a better shortstop than Barmes.

By: uyf1950

uyf1950 — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 15:03:05 +0000

If the Pirates offer him 3 years and $25MM he should jump on it. Personally I’m against the Yankees resigning him in general but if they do not for anymore the 1 year.