Dodgers get back catcher Martin in trade with Blue Jays
The Los Angeles Dodgers reacquired catcher Russell Martin in a trade with Toronto on Friday, and also reached one-year deals with their seven remaining arbitration-eligible players.
The NL champions agreed with Corey Seager, Joc Pederson, Chris Taylor, Enrique Hernandez, Pedro Baez, Josh Fields and Yimi Garcia on 2019 contracts.
With catcher Yasmani Grandal leaving for a deal with Milwaukee earlier in the week, the Dodgers had room to bring back Martin.
Whether they’re done looking at catchers, including a trade for Miami’s J.T. Realmuto, team executive Andrew Friedman wouldn’t commit.
“Our focus is still and will always be on how we can continue to improve and make ourselves better,” the club’s president of baseball operations said. “That remains our mindset in every respect.”
In exchange for Martin, the Dodgers sent minor leaguers Andrew Sopko, a right-hander, and Ronny Brito, an infielder, to the Blue Jays. Toronto is sending $16.4 million to offset some of the $20 million Martin is owed in the final season of his contract.
A four-time All-Star, Martin was with the Dodgers from 2006-10 and helped lead Los Angeles to three playoff appearances. Friedman said he’s not sure how playing time will be divided between Austin Barnes and Martin.
Martin, 35, started 71 games at catcher and 21 at third base last year, hitting .194 with 10 home runs and 35 RBIs.
YANKEES: Gold Glovewinning free-agent second baseman D.J. LeMahieu and the Yankees have agreed to a $24 million, two-year contract, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press, a deal that would appear to eliminate New York as a destination for Manny Machado.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity Friday because no agreement had been announced.
The 30-year-old LeMahieu spent the previous eight seasons with Colorado at hitterfriendly Coors Field and won the NL batting title in 2016 with a .348 average. He hit .276 last year with 15 homers and 62 RBIs, and he won his second straight Gold Glove and third overall.
New York was seeking infielders in the absence of shortstop Didi Gregorius, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery and is not expected back until summer. The Yankees signed former Colorado shortstop Troy Tulowitzki last week and said he will be their starting shortstop. LeMahieu likely will see time at second, third and possibly even first.
METS: NL Cy Young Award winner Jacob deGrom and the New York Mets agreed to a $17 million, one-year contract, a record raise for an arbitration-eligible player from his $7.4 million salary.
DeGrom’s figure set a mark for a pitcher eligible for arbitration for the third time.
DeGrom led the majors with a 1.70 ERA in 217 innings and was selected to his second All-Star Game. He was fifth in MVP voting after receiving little run support on a fourthplace squad.