LET’S CATCH UP
When Andy Pettitte and Mariano Rivera officially reenter the Yankees’ universe, the club can move on to the chore of signing Russell Martin to handle essentially the same pitching staff as last season.
Martin, a free agent who didn’t receive the $13.3 million qualifying offer, has been the Yankees’ regular catcher the past two years, and there is no indication the relationship won’t continue.
Yet, as November races toward December the Yankees haven’t made Martin, 30 in February, an offer. That doesn’t make him unique because the Yankees haven’t made offers to any free agents, including Pettitte and Rivera.
When the Yankees close out Pettitte and Rivera they likely will have to offer Martin a multiyear deal. Determined to get the 2014 payroll to $189 million, the Yankees have shied away from contracts that move beyond 2013. However, they had money budgeted for extensions for Robinson Cano and Curtis Granderson that won’t likely be extended this offseason.
Industry experts believe Martin can command three years at $8$ 10 million per season. He made $7.5 million last year when he shook off a miserable offensive first half to finish with 21 homers and 53 RBIs. A careerlow .211 batting average could have been worse. Like most Yankees, he didn’t hit in the postseason, going 5for31 (.161).
“I can’t describe it because of the Basic Agreement,’’ general manager Brian Cashman said yester day when asked where he was with Matt Colleran, Martin’s agent.
The Basic Agreement has language in it forbidding club representatives and agents from discussing contract negotiations and offers with the media.
Martin is in a strong position on several fronts. The only other experienced frontline catcher on the freeagent market is A.J. Pierzynski who will be 36 in Decem ber. He is coming off a season in which he swatted a careerhigh 27 homers and drove in 77 runs. His lefthanded bat is attractive, but the age is a drawback for the Yankees.
Martin also benefits from the Yankees not having his replacement in the organization.
Francisco Cervelli’s stock fell so fast last spring training that he was sent to TripleA and only recalled when the rosters expanded on Sept. 1. Even then he appeared in three games and got one atbat.
Chris Stewart is strictly a backup if he returns.
Prospect Austin Romine missed most of last year due to a back injury suffered early in spring training. He needs more seasoning at TripleA.
Gary Sanchez, the highestrated catching prospect, hasn’t played above SingleA.