A borderline Hall of Famer and developing Yankees icon is in the not-so-distant past. The “Next Big Thing’’ leads a group of catchers lurking ahead.
Say hello to Russell Martin’s world.
Having already capably replaced Jorge Posada and knowing that if Jesus Montero proves he can hit and catch the Yankees will have to make room for him behind the plate, Martin is in the middle — though it’s not a bad spot.
The Yankees tendered Martin, who will turn 29 in February, a contract for 2012 last night and have entertained thoughts of negotiating a multi-year deal with him before the start of the season.
Thinking about going more than one year with Martin isn’t an indication the Yankees don’t believe Montero can catch regularly in the big leagues. It has to do with how impressed the Yankees’ brass was with Martin a year ago, his first season in pinstripes.
“[Martin] lived up to everything we asked for,’’ general manager Brian Cashman said last week at the Winter Meetings.
Martin batted .237 with 18 homers and 65 RBIs in a season that would have been even better if not for a back problem.
He threw out 30 percent of runners attempting to steal, sixth among major league catchers. Yankees hurlers had a 3.71 ERA working with Martin, which was fifth in the majors.
Yesterday, Cashman didn’t rule out talking to Martin, who can be a free agent following the 2012 season, about a multi-year deal.
“We will see, I couldn’t say because it hasn’t been discussed,’’ Cashman said.
If the Yankees come to Martin with a multi-year offer, he will have a choice as a free agent after the upcoming season.
Should Martin duplicate last year’s performance in 2012, he will have a long list of teams interested in paying a lot more money than the $4 million base salary he earned last season.
It’s unlikely the Yankees would want to drop a four- or five-year deal on Martin, but what about two or three? He would be forfeiting a year or two of free agency to remain with a team he enjoyed being part of.
“I think he could consider signing long term because he loved it,’’ Martin’s agent, Matt Colleran, said yesterday. “Not too many catchers go through the year-to-year process that Russell has. He enjoyed the situation and that’s something to consider. I haven’t spoken to Brian about Russell yet. That usually begins after the tender date.’’
Technically, the Yankees signed Martin as a free agent last winter, but that was because the Dodgers, fearing a hip condition, didn’t tender him a contract.
He is arbitration eligible this year.
Making him a mult-year offer brings a risk on the Yankees’ part. Montero, 22, is almost a lock to make the roster out of spring training as a designated hitter and limited catcher.
What happens if the Yankees give Martin a multi-year deal and Montero shows he can handle catching and develops into the hitter everyone thinks he will be?
And there is more catching behind those two. Francisco Cervelli, 25, has proven to be a very solid backup and is young enough to still develop into a semi-regular if he can avoid injuries that have dogged him.
Austin Romine played briefly in the big leagues in 2011 at 22 and is coveted by other teams for his defensive ability. Gary Sanchez, who has the same hitting potential as Montero, was given $3 million in 2009 and likely will catch at Single-A Tampa this season at age 19.