Russell Martin will be one of the most attractive targets on the MLB free agent market this winter. Could the Chicago Cubs be a leading candidate to sign the veteran catcher?
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The Pittsburgh Pirates would not have been the same team that they were the last two seasons without Russell Martin. The catcher provided so much value to the Pirates offensively and behind the plate that he was a key figure as they reached the postseason two years in a row. Unfortunately for the Pirates, their failure to lock him up to a contract extension likely means they will lose him in free agency.
Martin is in line for a nice payday this winter, possibly something in the $50 million range. His market will only be helped by the fact that big-market teams will be in the mix to sign him. The Chicago Cubs might be one of those interested teams, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post:
"Martin just had his best season, posting a .402 on-base percentage and being a clutch-hitting force for the Pirates. But it is his athletic/heady work behind the plate that gets him notice. This is why you will hear him so associated with the Cubs, who might want a veteran leader/presence to mix with their young positional core."
As Sherman alludes to, Martin’s contract will pay for itself because of his defensive prowess and his ability to manage a pitching staff. If he produces anything close to his .290/.402/.430 slash line from 2014, then that’s gravy.
Theo Epstein and the Cubs started their off-season off by landing Joe Maddon as their manager. To get Martin too would be one heck of an addition, not to mention their potential pursuit of top pitchers this winter. Things might be getting interesting in Chicago.
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