The reason the Yankees were able to get Russell Martin to sign for a relatively cheap one year, $4 million contract is because the catcher had fallen off drastically his past two seasons with the Dodgers.
Most have put the blame on injuries, but Martin told Canada’s National Post “personal issues” were the reason for his recent struggles.
“There’s some things that you keep for yourself,” Martin said. “Those distractions, they’re personal — personal issues in my life that not everybody needs to know about.”
Martin hit .250 and .248 the past two seasons and his 2010 was cut short by a torn labrum in his hip and he needed minor knee surgery after the Yankees signed him in December. The 27-year-old, who is replacing now-DH Jorge Posada, did not want to expand on what exactly was going on his life.
“I had some distractions that maybe led me not to have that same drive that I’ve had in the past,” he said. “Really, that’s all it is, honestly. I didn’t train quite as — I trained hard, but before, nobody trained as hard as I did.”
Martin, a Canada native, said he chose the Yankees over the Blue Jays because they gave him a better chance to win a World Series. Martin could be a bridge until top prospect Jesus Montero is ready to step in full-time next year and he also gives the Yankees flexibility if they wanted to trade Montero for an upgrade at another position, like starting pitcher.
“The Yankees were just, ‘Hey, we want you to catch as much as possible,'” Martin said. “’We want you to be our guy’ … In my mind, it was, ‘Where do I have a chance to win a World Series the most this next year?’ “
Martin said the distractions are behind him and he’s ready to move on with the Yankees.
“I feel like I’m back where I need to be. Just mentally, I feel better,” said Martin, who was a .285 hitter his first three years in the majors.