Barring a trade for an established first-string catcher, the Yankees are going to trust their high-priced, veteran pitching staff to Francisco Cervelli or Austin Romine.
That’s because free agent Russell Martin, the Yankees’ regular catcher for the past two years, exited The Bronx last night en route to Pittsburgh by agreeing to a two-year deal worth $16.5 million.
Earlier in the day as word leaked out the Pirates had upped their offer from two to three years, the Yankees braced themselves for the fact they wouldn’t have Martin going forward.
“He could be off the board before they get to him,’’ a person familiar with the situation said of Martin and the Yankees, who made pitching an early offseason priority over catching and right field. “The Pirates and Rangers have needs at catcher.’’
While Texas made an effort, it wasn’t enough to keep Martin from joining the Pirates, who have had a losing record in each of the last 20 seasons.
While Martin, who turns 30 in February, was popular with Yankees decision makers, it was hard for them to ignore the career-low .211 average he posted last year when he hit a career-high 21 homers.
As of 5 p.m. yesterday, the Yankees hadn’t made an offer to Martin despite knowing there was a real possibility he would leave.
By now it’s clear the Yankees are adhering to owner Hal Steinbrenner’s vow to get the 2014 payroll to under $189 million. Allowing Martin to depart only adds to the cement.
Of course, the question facing the Yankees is who replaces Martin?
Free agent A.J. Pierzynski, 36, is older than Martin and Mike Napoli, not a full-time catcher and below-average defensively when he does, doesn’t fit. That leaves Cervelli and Romine as potential No. 1 catchers and each has question marks.
The Yankees thought so little of Cervelli last year that during the final week of spring training the club acquired defensive specialist Chris Stewart from the Giants to back up Martin. Cervelli, 26, spent the entire season at Triple-A and batted .249 with two homers and 39 RBIs. He was recalled when rosters expanded in September. He has 184 games of big league experience; 93 of them in 2010.
Romine, 24, suffered a back injury the first day of spring training and was limited to 31 minor league games. He likely needs more Triple-A experience (he played in 17 games this past year) before being ready to handle the star-studded Yankees’ staff.
It’s not out of the question the Yankees could go with Cervelli and Romine but it’s also likely they will attempt to land a veteran to back up whoever is the starter.
The non-tender deadline is 11 p.m. today and the Yankees aren’t likely to turn anybody of consequence free. However, they did get Martin after he was non-tendered by the Dodgers following the 2010 season so there is a chance the Yankees could add a piece from the collection of players not offered a contract. … Triple-A manager Dave Miley has been named Baseball America’s Minor League Manager of the Year.