MLB

[numbers]

Normally I would think the Martin signing is terrible because of the years, but I like this move for Toronto. They are always going to have to overpay for high end FA's, and Martin is a perfect sign for them.

[@SkitchP]

Yeah, 32 year old catchers switching leagues coming off a career year are very unlikely to see significant fall off.

[Chris_H_2]

Thank you for explaining the joke.

It's just not the same actually coming from you.

[Chris_H_2]

They better trade Navarro.

[numbers]

Yeah, 32 year old catchers switching leagues coming off a career year are very unlikely to see significant fall off.

If Martin is worth a few wins at the beginning of the contract, it's worth it for them. It's not like it would be the first time Toronto has a guy on their payroll that is vastly overpaid.

[Lament]

It's cute when Phil gushes.

It is. We should just start a thread where Phil talks about John Olerud.

[The Argonaut]

Yeah, I wouldn't get too excited about Russell Martin. He had an unsustainably high BABIP of .336 this year. He's hit his peak and heading down. Five years at 82 mil is probably not worth it.

[philpritchard]

As has been mentioned, the key here is the first two years where the Jays have a chance to compete. And his offense is a surprisingly small part of why they signed him; it's about his defense, game calling and pitch framing.

If they signed him expecting him to hit like he did in 2014 he would have gotten a lot more than $16 million.

[Norah]

Hey man, if you guys win it all in the next year or two and Martin's a big part of that then this is worth it.

[@SkitchP]

Hey man, if you guys win it all in the next year or two and Martin's a big part of that then this is worth it.

no doubt.

[philpritchard]

Also, why the fuck aren't you on twitter?

I have no idea. I feel like sometimes I have interesting things to say, too.

[BigRedLedbetter]

Damnit hashtag, Bob Watson did it too.

Wikipedia was wrong. My apologies.

[BigRedLedbetter]

I don't even care how much money he ends up getting... the Jays signing Russell Martin is a very, very good sign.

looks like you are in on Lester....if you get him and maybe one more piece no reason you can't be a playoff team next year

[BigRedLedbetter]

Fuck. What a terrible trade by the Braves.

I would have been ok with the Rangers trading for Heyward/Walden for much more.

[philpritchard]

I don't even care how much money he ends up getting... the Jays signing Russell Martin is a very, very good sign.

looks like you are in on Lester....if you get him and maybe one more piece no reason you can't be a playoff team next year

The rotation is good enough to be a playoff team without him, but he would certainly improve their chances. I think the chances of him signing in Toronto are pretty close to zero, though.

Trading Happ and something else for even a mediocre 2B/LF would be a good move if they add a free agent pitcher, but I feel like Dickey will be the one getting traded in that scenario.

[BigRedLedbetter]

I have always liked and rooted for Dickey. I'd love to take him off your hands.

[philpritchard]

I know I'm just turning this into Russell Martin/Blue Jays talk, but... shut up, I can do whatever I want!

Prior to signing Martin, the Jays have very little money committed beyond 2015. That gives them a lot of flexibility in the future, but they likely don't have a ton of money to spend now. But apparently Martin's salary the first year of the contract will be just $7 million... I like it. Now I actually kind of believe there's more to come this offseason.

[Electromatic]

5 years isn't terrible. He'll be 36 or so at the end of it. It probably won't look bad until year 3 or so.

But signing over 30 catchers is not a recipe for success. See McCann, Brian. It could work fine though. Hope it does.

Wish I was Giancarlo Stanton today.

[philpritchard]

5 years isn't terrible. He'll be 36 or so at the end of it. It probably won't look bad until year 3 or so.

But signing over 30 catchers is not a recipe for success. See McCann, Brian. It could work fine though. Hope it does.

It's an interesting comparison, and it's certainly cause for concern, but I think players falling off a cliff the way McCann did last year are more of an outlier. If the Jays get three good, valuable years out of Martin then I think it's a big win for them, but I assume the Jays are thinking he'll still have value beyond that because of his reputation as a good game-caller who works well with young pitchers and the ridiculous young pitching talent they have. Having a sunk cost for the last couple years wouldn't be the worst thing if it helps them contend for the first couple. It's not like they have 6-7 more years, like Pujols or Fielder, if it doesn't work out.

Wish I was Giancarlo Stanton today.

Don't we all?

[BigRedLedbetter]

Without looking it up I wanna say Martin is pretty durable. I could be wrong. In this day and age just about every free agent contract is a bad contract. I'd rather overpay for a position player than a pitcher. Just my 2 cents.