Pittsburgh Pirates: Russell Martin Signs Deal With Toronto Blue Jays
By Larry Snyder
The Toronto Blue Jays have signed Pirates’ free agent catcher Russell Martin to a five-year, $82 million contract, pending a physical exam.
Martin, who will turn 32 in February, was paid $8.5 million in 2014. The 5-foot-10, 215-pound catcher played in 111 contests for Pittsburgh last season, and hit .290 with 11 home runs and 67 RBI. His .402 on-base percentage was a career best.
The East York, Ontario native broke into the Major Leagues with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2006. In his nine seasons with the Dodgers, the New York Yankees, and the Pirates, Martin hit .259 with 119 home runs and 540 RBIs.
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It is the second-largest contract in Blue Jays team history and the largest deal given out in Alex Anthopoulos’ time as general manager.
The signing has been reported by serveral outlets including by Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com, Mark Polishuk of MLBTradeRumors.com, Buster Olney of ESPN.com, and Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune.
Pittsburgh made a one-year qualifying offer of $15.3 million for 2015 to Martin, which he turned down. The Bucs get a bonus pick between the first and second rounds of the 2015 MLB Draft. The Jolly Roger crew obtained Yankees catcher Francisco Cervelli last week in a trade for relief pitcher Justin Wilson.