Russell Martin

[Tryptamine]

So worried this is going to turn into a 5/80 type deal. I just get the feeling that Theo wants this guy no matter what.

 

I'm worried that we're going to decide everyone is too expensive and just sit on a ton of empty payroll like last offseason. I'm not a huge Martin fan, but he's not nothing.

 

They're not going to use all 60M in supposed available payroll as they have targets in 2016 they like as well. I wouldn't be surprised at all if it's Lester and a bunch of bargain bin in 2015.

[Guest]

So worried this is going to turn into a 5/80 type deal. I just get the feeling that Theo wants this guy no matter what.

 

I'm worried that we're going to decide everyone is too expensive and just sit on a ton of empty payroll like last offseason. I'm not a huge Martin fan, but he's not nothing.

 

They're not going to use all 60M in supposed available payroll as they have targets in 2016 they like as well. I wouldn't be surprised at all if it's Lester and a bunch of bargain bin in 2015.

 

I don't overly agree with that conclusion, but I think it's interesting to keep in mind, especially in the context of the 'next 18 months' rhetoric from the Front Office. Next year there's pretty much no salary departing to free agency, Wada's 4 million, whatever Wright gets in arbitration, and that's pretty much it. Most of that(if not more) gets eaten up in minor increases to Rizzo/Soler and likely arb guys as well.

 

The tide seems to be turning towards the payroll moving upwards, most likely due to the renovations being approved and the partial TV deal coming up. I don't want to get too ownershippy, but it's pretty conceivable to think that whatever the 2015 budget for payroll is will be similar in 2016. Since there's pretty much nothing going away dollar-wise, it does make some sense to think of those offseasons in tandem, if only a bit.

[Tyrant]

I'm worried that we're going to decide everyone is too expensive

 

i am stunned

[Guest]

So worried this is going to turn into a 5/80 type deal. I just get the feeling that Theo wants this guy no matter what.

 

I'm worried that we're going to decide everyone is too expensive and just sit on a ton of empty payroll like last offseason. I'm not a huge Martin fan, but he's not nothing.

 

They're not going to use all 60M in supposed available payroll as they have targets in 2016 they like as well. I wouldn't be surprised at all if it's Lester and a bunch of bargain bin in 2015.

I wouldn't be too terribly upset if they got Lester and a bunch of bargain bins.

[Guest]

So worried this is going to turn into a 5/80 type deal. I just get the feeling that Theo wants this guy no matter what.

 

Sullivan was on B and B and he seems to think that it's the cubs by process of elimination, which is definitely good for the price.

[Elrhino]

So worried this is going to turn into a 5/80 type deal. I just get the feeling that Theo wants this guy no matter what.

 

Sullivan was on B and B and he seems to think that it's the cubs by process of elimination, which is definitely good for the price.

 

Except the "elimination" likely stems from other teams not wanting to meet the price.

[Guest]

Not sure how much should be read into this, but Marlin Bystro sighting

 

 

http://forums.prosportsdaily.com/showthread.php?878948-2014-2015-Off-season-News-and-Ideas-Thread&p=29258206#post29258206

[MWV]

Not sure how much should be read into this

Welington Castillo would be a new catcher to any pitcher the cubs sign.

[Guest]

Not sure how much should be read into this

Welington Castillo would be a new catcher to any pitcher the cubs sign.

 

lol come on now

 

ha. he did respond to someone saying something similar.

 

Yes although I kind of like the idea of pulling a Loxas and using the idea of Castillo being a new catcher for new TOR pitcher. That way I'm right either way.

[Deeg]

Ken Rosenthal ‏@Ken_Rosenthal 4s5 seconds ago

Executives involved in bidding for Russell Martin believe #Cubs are clear front-runner. Deal expected to be in four-year, $64M range.

[imb]

Ken Rosenthal ‏@Ken_Rosenthal 4s5 seconds ago

Executives involved in bidding for Russell Martin believe #Cubs are clear front-runner. Deal expected to be in four-year, $64M range.

 

That would be great

[RammyFanny]

I'm kind of looking at Martin as the catching version of 2014 Valbuena. Plus defense, might not hit for a ton of average but will IsoD .100. Maybe a little less power but also less Ks. Plus you get the leadership and twtw and framing etc. Edited November 17, 2014 by RammyFanny

[Clem Fandango]

Ken Rosenthal ‏@Ken_Rosenthal 4s5 seconds ago

Executives involved in bidding for Russell Martin believe #Cubs are clear front-runner. Deal expected to be in four-year, $64M range.

 

http://i.imgur.com/txqINOr.gif

[Guest]

I'm down w/dat

[davell]

If we CAN get him, his rep with pitchers can't hurt us with Lester.

[treebird]

Ken Rosenthal ‏@Ken_Rosenthal 4s5 seconds ago

Executives involved in bidding for Russell Martin believe #Cubs are clear front-runner. Deal expected to be in four-year, $64M range.

 

do it do it do it do it do it do it do it now

[Vinestal]

If its 4 years I feel good about that, I was worried we'd have to go 5 and that would leave me feeling a little icky.

[Deeg]

If its 4 years I feel good about that, I was worried we'd have to go 5 and that would leave me feeling a little icky.

 

I've said all along that the key to whether the Cubs land Martin is whether someone (i.e. the Dodgers) is willing to go to 5 years. I don't think Theo would lose Martin over 1-2 million a year if it's a 4-year deal - he'd be willing to eat that money, assuming Martin was willing to sign in Chicago on a comparable contract. But I never thought Theo was willing to go 5. Hopefully we never find out.

 

The thing about all this "Cubs are the favorites" talk, though, is that LA could still come in at the last minute with a McCann contract and render all of that moot. Until Martin actually signs, I think the talk of "front-runners" is pretty meaningless.

[Cubbie Swagger]

I like Martin, but I don't understand why he is worth that much money.

 

Besides last year, it has been awhile since his offensive numbers were anything special. If we pay him $16 million a year and he hits .220 with 10 homers or something, I'm not gonna be very happy with that use of $16 million.

 

He better frame the [expletive] out of some pitches.

[Deeg]

Ken Rosenthal ‏@Ken_Rosenthal 50s50 seconds ago

Caveat to earlier report on #Cubs as leader for Martin: #BlueJays still could be in mix. #Tigers feared TOR would outbid them for VMart.

[JennieGarthAlgar]

I like Martin, but I don't understand why he is worth that much money.

 

Besides last year, it has been awhile since his offensive numbers were anything special. If we pay him $16 million a year and he hits .220 with 10 homers or something, I'm not gonna be very happy with that use of $16 million.

 

He better frame the [expletive] out of some pitches.

 

Theo will pay him a little extra for his leadership, clubhouse presence, mentorship, etc. I think this is the definition of a "right time, right place" kind of deal for Martin.

[Guest]

I like Martin, but I don't understand why he is worth that much money.

 

Besides last year, it has been awhile since his offensive numbers were anything special. If we pay him $16 million a year and he hits .220 with 10 homers or something, I'm not gonna be very happy with that use of $16 million.

 

He better frame the [expletive] out of some pitches.

 

15 million is pretty much the new market rate for a league average player. I have my worries that Martin might not be the best option to maximize the team's improvement, but the odds of him becoming an anchor are not very high. Especially if it's a 4 year deal.

[Tryptamine]

Theo had Jason Varitek in Boston and now he wants that guy to be Russell Martin in Chicago. It's pretty obvious he's really big on defense, framing and leadership out of the catcher position.

[TruffleShuffle]

Ken Rosenthal ‏@Ken_Rosenthal 50s50 seconds ago

Caveat to earlier report on #Cubs as leader for Martin: #BlueJays still could be in mix. #Tigers feared TOR would outbid them for VMart.

 

that's a very heyman-esque update. cubs are leader! other teams are in the mix!

[Guest]

I forgot what writer suggested that the Blue Jays would have Martin spend some time at DH, which, LOL