Two notable occurrences in Yankee-Land on Thursday night — let’s analyze.
– The Greatest of All-Time Returns –
Uber closer Mariano Rivera has agreed to terms with the Yankees on a $10 million contract for the 2013 season, reports CBSSports.com Insider Jon Heyman. Heyman also reports that, in addition to the guaranteed $10 million, Rivera’s new contract will include bonuses based on awards and incentives benchmarks.
Sounds good to us. We said we’d offer God $10 million, which was a cut from his $15 million base last season. Got that right.
– Russell Martin signed with Pittsburgh —
It isn’t often that the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the New York Yankees to a free agent.
But it happened Thursday, when the Pirates reached agreement with free-agent catcher Russell Martin on a contract, according to a major-league source.
The deal is for two years, $17 million, according to the New York Times. Martin earned $7.5 million last season.
Not matching Pittsburgh’s offer for Martin is — how should we put this? — Retarded. Two years / $17 million is more than reasonable for him, and is financially-sound. Not only did the Yankees refuse to match Pittsburgh’s deal, they reportedly didn’t even make an offer. And if they weren’t going to make him an offer, why did they let Boston sign David Ross to an even cheaper contract (2 years, $6.2 mil) (oh wait, he signed for two years too. The HORROR!)
In our October 27th post (give it a re-read), we said we’d offer Martin 2 years and a team option for a 3rd, which is pretty close to what Pittsburgh did. Here was our summary on why we wanted to keep Martin:
1. The Yankees simply don’t have any options internally who can take over for Martin full-time next season. And the free-agent class is thinnny thin thin.
2. There are worse catchers out there than Russell Martin, especially when you factor in his defensive reputation.
3. If his BABIP can rebound to more career-normal levels, he’ll hit better than last year. Even what he did from July through the end of the year would be fine (.779 OPS).
4. He’s only 29. That’s practically a baby in Yankee-land.
Unless the Yankees have another move cooking, this sure looks like Hal Steinbrenner purposely downgrading at another position (other position being RF), while upgrading nowhere. Hey, but at least he sold 49% of the YES Network earlier in the month.
57 Comments
Joe Cali November 29, 2012 23:46
We just lost the best catcher out there, Yankees are going to miss him.
Arnold Schwarzenneger November 29, 2012 23:58
Fuck you Nomaas! You know nothing! I would rather Romine or Cervelli catching than another fucking swing and miss guy! How did a lineup full of swing and miss guys do us in the playoffs? Ichuro and Jeter are the only two that hit in the playoffs for any average. Surprise they are contact hitters, something the old Yankees had in their lineup to extend innings and get clutch hits. Swisher GONE, Martin GONE, now I hope they trade Granderson! Ichuro, Gardner and take your pick in Left is a hell of a lot better than last year!
Vin November 30, 2012 09:11
This can’t be a serious post. You really think the team would be better with Cervelli at catcher?
Also learn your prospects. Romine was hurt all last season. No way he’s ready. But you probably saw his name somewhere and think you’re a bigshot because you can toss out random prospect names.
Arnold Schwarzenneger November 30, 2012 20:49
Yes I do and I know Romine was hurt 3/4 of the year with a bad back. He was still ahead of Montero as far as development and cannot hit worse than Martin did all year. And being known as a defensive catcher we shouldn’t lose anything behind the plate. And all for the league minimum. We all know they want to be below 189 by 2014, so what a better position to go within on than a weak offensive position. If he gives you anything over .250 with 15 home runs we can call it the greatest decision of the offseason.
Apologies for not spelling Ichiro correctly I was jumping for joy that Martin is gone. Honestly I would not mind a Nunez/Ibanez split in RF either. Trade Granderson and have Nunez/Gardner/Ichiro outfield! Thank you I will take that all day!
Mike Hunt Izarry November 30, 2012 22:56
You sound like a girly-man.
Ichuro November 30, 2012 11:57
I have know idea who I am, but I bet I buy used panties out of vending machines.
Sully November 30, 2012 00:44
Haw haw haw! LOSAHS!
Bud Selig November 30, 2012 00:45
Haw haw haw! High five! You kids still do that, don’t you?
Russell Martin November 30, 2012 01:04
“I’m really looking forward to going to the Pirates; my boy A. J. Burnett is there. It’s going to be a lot of fun.”
Fun? November 30, 2012 01:05
You call catching A.J. Burnett “fun?” Pshh, you can have it, motherfucker!
For Those Who Don't Know November 30, 2012 01:22
News Corporation (parent company of FOX, among many others) already had a 31% stake in the YES Network. This additional 49% increase gives them controlling influence over the YES Network.
Ted Nelson November 30, 2012 01:48
My balls need a tounge bath
DormantUlcer November 30, 2012 15:18
Licky Licky.
Phieleblunt November 30, 2012 02:11
If I had 200 million to spend….I would find a way to spend 11 million less
Sparks The Question November 30, 2012 14:10
Can only wonder if NoMaas, who loves the $189M Steinbrenner Cap, will now change their motto to “If we had 189 million to spend, the Yankees would never lose a penny that could instead go in Hank and Hal’s pockets.”
Bud Selig December 1, 2012 10:35
Well just keeping spending if you want that money to go into my pockets. I could do so many helpful things with that money. You think Toronto gets all that talent from my pal Jeff Loria without me sweetening the pot?
Sensitive RAB Guy November 30, 2012 07:15
doesn’t news Corp have a controlling interest in NoMaas, since NoMaas through that whole “freedom of speech” thing out the window with little benny kaabak’s cease & desist order?
punks
Joe Páwlikowski November 30, 2012 14:58
You want to be a weekend writer?
Jim Leyritz's Cellmate November 30, 2012 07:25
Please, please don’t sign AJ Pier… Pier… Pierzinskiskiski(sp?)
Russell Martin hated the Red Sox. This guy should have been given a fucking corner locker and Matsui’s hentai collection along with a blank check for two years.
Fuckin' A November 30, 2012 14:15
The Yankees should know well enough by now to stay away from guys named “A.J.”– let alone some stuck up, classless prick from the hamptons (Bridgehampton) who shoots his mouth off and acts like he’s invincible– also, just like a spoiled, rich hamptons kid. Don’t even answer his agent’s calls, Yanks. Check the caller ID and walk away…
Yankee Fan December 1, 2012 18:18
Haha, ^^ one jackass from the hamptons, so far.
CJ November 30, 2012 09:13
This is the beginning of the Yankees’ decline. It might take a while, but we’re witnessing the beginning. Imagine the Yankees can’t sign a guy to a 2-year deal.
Mike K November 30, 2012 09:18
1. It seems we’ve given more consideration to re-signing Soriano at stupid money than Martin at reasonable money. That’s troubling.
2. The Yankees do know that you can sign a player to a two-year deal and trade him after 1 year, right?
CJ November 30, 2012 09:25
Well said.
TSJC November 30, 2012 14:46
Niggas always be hatin’.
Conan the Librarian November 30, 2012 09:29
I’m wondering if Cashman’s hands are tied right now under the command of Steinbrenner/Levine. Cashman has always raved about Martin, and now he lets him walk on a short-term fair deal. Something smells funny.
Umm... November 30, 2012 14:17
You just figured that out now? Have you read or followed ANYTHING about the Yanks in the last two years?
Ben Ka bak's Dad November 30, 2012 14:47
Can we sue them all?
Asshat Hero November 30, 2012 18:47
No but we can still leave them with a bunch of empty seats next year.
3 Weeks in April 2011 November 30, 2012 10:24
After April 23, 2011 – Martin’s OPS in 109 games was .672.
In 2012, it was .713.
All this anguish over a guy who (in terms of WAR) was worse last year than John Jaso and Salvador Perez (in only 76 games) and only marginally better than Mike Napoli and Jarrod Saltasdflkasasdflkia.
Conan the Librarian November 30, 2012 10:32
In terms of WAR, he was still over 2 last season. Free agent market that’s $10 mil. And that doesn’t take into account his defensive reputation.
And now where are the Yankees going to find a 2+ WAR catcher? That’s the biggest issue.
Matzo November 30, 2012 14:51
Martin stunk. You telling me Cashman can’t find a catcher? Who knows. Maybe they think Romine is for real. I won’t cry over a a catcher who can’t hit and COULDN’T CATCH OUR ACE.
Joe Girardi November 30, 2012 11:07
Player manager time! I knew I was staying in shape for a reason!
Brian Cash November 30, 2012 11:45
Do not comment here if you want more than 1 thumbs up or did not play with Barbie doll.
Jesus Montero November 30, 2012 12:42
hahahahahahah
Thurman Munson November 30, 2012 12:45
This situation looks like a plane wreck!
Still too soon November 30, 2012 13:13
Still too soon.
I’m gonna go get the papers, get the papers.
Ki m Last November 30, 2012 14:58
get the lumps
Lumps
Joe G November 30, 2012 12:46
With all the HGH I eat for breakfast I’ll be behind the plate.
Honest John Gibbons November 30, 2012 12:52
Look here yankee fans. If you’re looking to root for a real team
come root for the NWO of Toronto.
No penny pinchers over here. We play hard & we bully the competition.
Ross in NJ November 30, 2012 15:00
I’ll knock you out!
Cervelli November 30, 2012 13:37
I hit better with RISP than any Yankee. Maybe I will actually get a chance to play back up instead of Chris Stewart who couldn’t beat a dead horse.
Mortuus Equus November 30, 2012 23:06
STFU.
Hal and Hank's pockets November 30, 2012 14:22
We’re doing quite well, thanks for all your continued concern
Steve Balboni's Bastard November 30, 2012 14:45
On a serious note if they don’t care about 2013 and only care about ’14 why not offer Hamilton 35 mil for one yr to play RF and Greinke 30 for 1 to start.
This team might be a disaster in 2014. No Andy, Kuroda, Mo to get cheap. How do they replace them without adding payroll in 2014?
Another One? Wow... November 30, 2012 18:14
They’re not going to replace them. They’ve made that very clear, so many times that their throats hurt from saying it– that any positions that need filling after 2013 will come from the Yankees farm system. Period.
It blows, but that’s the reality. You would think that extra half a billion (that’s a “B” folks, not an “M”) per year that Hank and Hal will bank from selling an additional 49% stake to News Corporation (A.K.A. FOX) would be enough to fund whatever personal endeavor they so desperately desire, but it is not. Their words put it plain and clear. I will enjoy watching the three remaining Core Four members play out their last year in pinstripes and be thankful that I will be able to tell younger people stories about the great players the Yankees used to have.
Fuckin' A December 1, 2012 18:20
Fuckin’ A!
Andy & Mo November 30, 2012 15:08
Hahahahah. You think we aren’t playing in 2014? Of course we are.
I mean its going be tricky with in season HGH tests but we will be there in 2014 count on it.
Joe Páwlikowski November 30, 2012 15:26
Nunez in RF. Count on it.
Robinson Tilapia November 30, 2012 18:30
Joey Paws , you’re still blogging about the “girlfriend”?????
Tell that beard to hit the road
I wanna lick that unibrow from ear to ear
Joe Páwlikowski December 4, 2012 14:28
My girlfriends name is Doug.
Bennie K Jr November 30, 2012 18:33
Let’s sue daddy !! All my faggy brooklyn hipsters will be gagging on there craft beers!!
Go MTA !!!
Homonym Harry November 30, 2012 23:08
Their, their.
Use the Schwartz November 30, 2012 21:21
Dark Helmet Rises.
Booger Sugar December 1, 2012 00:17
Martin’s strike-out is rising and he’s on the wrong side of 30 and he’s a catcher. So unless that Mike Fast study truly is reliable, what’s the big deal about not offering him a pricey 2 year deal?
Booger Sugar December 1, 2012 11:36
Is there a big difference between Geovanny Soto and Martin?
Arnold Schwarzenneger December 1, 2012 16:07
Exactly! Just about anyone can replace his offense! he was a black hole all year just about!