Yankees catcher Russell Martin heard about Yadier Molina nearing a five-year contract worth $70 million to 75 million with the Cardinals and smiled.
“Thanks, Yadi,’’ Martin said in the middle of the Yankees clubhouse yesterday. ”That sets the tone right there. It helps me because teams understand how important [offense and defense] are for a catcher.’’
Molina, 29, was set to become a free agent following the season and Martin likely will file for free agency, so contract comparisons between the two are easily made.
“It [Molina’s contract] gives you something to point to now,” agent Matt Colleran said. “They are two really good all-around catchers. For Russell, you couldn’t point to Victor Martinez, who was more a catcher-DH and [Mike] Napoli is kind of similar. … It could shape up as a unique situation. But all of that is speculation for the time being. Russell is a Yankee, and he would like to stay a Yankee.”
After preliminary talks last December about a contract extension, the Yankees and Martin agreed to table the issue until after the upcoming season.
“Are there similarities [between Molina and Martin]? Yes, some. If [Molina] is not on the free-agent market next year, then the availability of premium catching, there will not be a lot,’’ Colleran said. “Any time a guy like that [Molina] signs, it helps other free agents in terms of opportunity.”
Martin, 29, batted .237 with 18 homers and 65 RBIs in his first season as a Yankee last year when he made $4 million. He will play for $7.5 million this year.
The Yankees like the catching depth they have created in the minors. But they did trade Jesus Montero this offseason to Seattle to land Michael Pineda. Austin Romine is ticketed for Triple-A, and the Yankees believe he is going to be a very good all-around catcher. But they always are a win-now team, and will they feel comfortable handing over the pitching staff in 2013 to Romine and Francisco Cervelli?
With a winter to train and not rehab his hip and knee, Martin reported to camp in tremendous shape.