THAT’S THE PITTS: Russell Martin was all smiles yesterday at Pirates camp, as the new Pittsburgh catcher reflected on his time with the Yankees, who did not offer the free agent a contract. (NY Post: Charles Wenzelberg)
BRADENTON, Fla. — When Yankees pitchers and catchers report to Tampa’s George M. Steinbrenner Field today for the beginning of spring training, the answer to the club’s significant hole behind the plate will be in Pirate City.
Russell Martin’s road from baseball’s penthouse to Pittsburgh via a two-year deal worth $17 million, and the Yankees not willing to make an offer early in the free-agent process, was puzzling to the popular catcher.
“If they had offered me a contract … if they had matched … you know,’’ Martin told The Post in a voice that trailed off. “I was confused a little bit. On a baseball standpoint, if I put myself in the shoes of somebody who makes the decisions to build the team, I would never overlook catching. We will see what happens. It might mean they have confidence in [Chris] Stewart and [Francisco] Cervelli and there is nothing wrong with that.’’
The Yankees’ party line was that until they addressed their pitching needs at the time, which included bringing Andy Pettitte, Mariano Rivera and Hiroki Kuroda back, they weren’t making offers to anybody else. All three hurlers returned after Martin signed elsewhere.
So, when the Pirates, who haven’t had a winning season in 20 years, offered Martin two years and $17 million, he grabbed it.
Even though losing Martin left the Yankees with Cervelli, Stewart and Austin Romine, ownership didn’t believe Martin, who will turn 30 Friday and made $7.5 million last year, was worth a sizeable increase after batting a career-low .211. As for the 21 homers, some in the organization thought many were the product of the right-handed hitting Martin taking advantage of the cozy right-field confines of Yankee Stadium.
“The Pirates were the best deal, hands down,’’ Martin said. “From what I was told the Yankees didn’t have the money yet to offer me. It’s hard to be patient when [$17 million] is available.’’
When Martin didn’t wait to see what the Yankees would offer, there were whispers within the organization that Martin had a problem with manager Joe Girardi.
That, Martin says, wasn’t true.
“I always felt like he was in my corner. That’s the feeling I got. He trusted me and that was never an issue with me. We communicated. It was probably the most I communicated with any manager I had,’’ said Martin, who played for Joe Torre in Los Angeles. “There was honesty and communication. He asked me how I felt and I would tell him. I felt like he did a good job getting me the proper rest.’’
Like all players who join a new club, Martin said he was happy to be a Pirate and was looking forward to being a leader on a team starved to have a winning season.
Yet, he hasn’t erased two years in The Bronx from his hard drive.
“I have nothing to do with their decision making. If they feel they can save a bit of money by going with two guys who don’t really cost that much and they feel like they still have a competitive team and that was an area where they could save a little bit of money, that’s the business side of it and I got no problem with it,’’ Martin explained. “Would I have enjoyed playing with the Yankees? Of course, who wouldn’t? It’s a great environment to play in, a winning environment and it’s fun. But I didn’t get the opportunity.’’
Former Yankees pitcher A.J. Burnett’s locker is close to Martin’s at the Pirates complex and he greeted his battery-mate with a sternum-crushing hug.
“I don’t know if surprised is the word, more so curious as to why they wouldn’t bring Russell back because he is a really good catcher,’’ said Burnett, who thrived for the Pirates in his first season away from The Bronx. “It’s real good to see him here.’’