Russell Martin made quite an impression on Brian Cashman in his first year in The Bronx — so much so the GM wouldn’t rule out giving the catcher an extension.
“He came in here and we thought he was Thurman Munson-like,” Cashman said on a conference call yesterday. “I wasn’t here in the ’70s, but you know what Thurman Munson stood for and how he played the game and the leadership he provided in the clubhouse, and that’s what projected from Russell from L.A. when he was a Dodger and healthy. He came in here and lived up to everything we had heard and was an important acquisition.”
The 28-year-old is arbitration-eligible and stands to get a hefty raise to about $7 million, but Cashman wouldn’t rule out signing him to a multi-year deal.
“I think [his success] provides the flexibility to do either,” Cashman said of Martin, who hit .237 with 18 homers and 65 RBIs — and whom the GM credited with the pitching staff having a better season than many expected. “We are deep catching-wise … so we can go a number of different routes there. The depth of this franchise allows us if we want to put all our eggs in the Russell Martin basket, maybe we can have a conversation there, too.”
Since Martin looks like he will return as the starting catcher, the Yankees still must figure out who is going to back him up. Jorge Posada is a free agent, but his days with the team appear to be over.
“He’s been one of the best catchers in Yankees’ history and a borderline Hall of Famer,” Cashman said. “He’s been a special player for us for quite long time, and that’s one of the areas we have to address here in the short-term, but I’m not prepared to talk about it today.”
More likely candidates to back up Martin are Jesus Montero and Francisco Cervelli, who — along with Austin Romine — all spent time behind the plate last season.
“[Montero] can provide catching or be a DH or a lethal bat off the bench for us,” Cashman said. “He is a very young, talented player that obviously we feel can have an impact at the major league level for us. It depends on how the rest of the roster shapes up.”
Cashman added that Cervelli, who missed time at the end of the season because of a concussion, has recovered.
“He’s full-bore ready to go as a catcher,” Cashman said.
The GM said he had no health concerns regarding Alex Rodriguez and that no final decisions have been made for next year’s coaching staff. … Cashman said the Yankees did not pick up a $2.2 million option on 2007 first-round pick RHP Andrew Brackman, who had a disappointing season after finishing strong in 2010. They would like to sign him to a minor league deal. … Rafael Soriano did not opt out of his contract and will return.