Dodgers' Joe Torre, an ex-catcher, needs to gives Russell Martin regular time off

Russell Martin rested Sunday. He actually sat out a game, an entire game.

Martin no doubt wanted to play. He always wants to play. His iron-man routine is admirable.

Yet, in the long-run, over the course of a 162-game season, it just doesn’t make sense for a catcher to play a much as Martin.

Manager Joe Torre needs to make rest a regular part of his approach with Martin. He needs to take one game off a week. At least over the next two months.

Martin has averaged 150 games a year over the last three seasons, and that’s beating your catcher up. It’s unnecessary and unwise.

Martin’s production has fallen in each of the last three seasons. There certainly could be other factors, but playing baseball’s most demanding position on almost a daily basis has to be one.

The thing hard to figure into this equation is Torre started his 17-year playing career as a catcher. For his first nine years, his primary position was behind the plate.

But he never played more than 114 games in any single season at catcher. That’s a long ways from Martin’s 150 the last three years.

Currently, Martin is having his worst season offensively (.245, four homers, 18 RBI) and probably defensively.

Torre has tried to get Martin a little more time off this season, but it’s time to make it a regular feature. Time for Martin to get every Sunday off and know he’ll get a day to recharge.

A.J. Ellis is at least a capable backup, certainly behind the plate. Give him a regular start, and Martin a regular day off.

-- Steve Dilbeck

Comments

[Bill]

Martin may prove more valuable to the team taking 2 games a week off from catching and possibly backing up at third base. This would give Blake a day of rest which may give him a boost at the plate also.

[West Coast Ram]

I would say that Martin has EARNED no more than 4 games per week if the Dodgers are playing 6. Martin would have to prove to me in those four games that he is deserving to get the extra game. If his production continued to be average at best, I'd be looking for a new starter in 2011.

[Zen]

Steve,

Maybe you missed the part of Torre's catching bio that says he played hurt, very hurt, with was it a broken thumb, for MONTHS?

Mellow as Torre is now, he was a certified tough guy as a catcher. Don't make it seem otherwise.

I wouldn't expect JT to be serving any Sleep Time Tea to Martin.

[Chad Moriyama]

Agreed, and I think everybody else agrees as well.

Will never happen with Joe Torre though.

[OldBrooklynFan]

Martin is really starting to look like a very good defensive, or if I can say, weak hitting catcher. There have been plenty in the past. Catchers who had lengthy careers because of their work behind the plate.
But if rest can get him out of this offensive funk, it's worth a try.

[Jeff570]

I have written about Joe Torre before. I am not a fan of his. Joe brought his entire resume to The Dodgers. Personal disclosure: I have been a Dodgers fan since 1954 (I am 63). Joe overworks his bullpen, keeps players around because he "likes them"-Garrett Anderson, Mark Sweeney, Doug Minkiewecz, Mark Loretta, not becuase the team can win with them--case in point-The O-Dog. Joe is an average Manager,much like Tommy Lasorda. They both succeeded because the players were there to make them successful, not because of managerial prowess. They are also "good copy" and the working press likes that, too. Joe will not change at age 69/70. We will make the playoffs in spite of him, not because of him. Next year I hope we will have a full candidate slate including qualified minorities and Tim Wallach. I'm not ready to cede the job to Don Mattingly.

[yadthink]

Martin is clearly having an off year, statistically. I don't know if he's tired, but we'll need him to be fresh during the pennant drive. Will Ausmus be able to help soon?

[bob cuomo]

I agree 100%. Martin should get at least one day a week off during the second half of the season when it gets hot out there. Heck, Torre should know how tough it is catching when it's at least 90 degrees.

[Rafael]

There's no doubt in my mind that Russell Martin truly dedicates himself to the game, but if he sits games out he would help the ballclub better. By observing other facets of the game, Russell
would gain unnoticed nuances that could be useful towards playoff time.

[Shart]

I've got an idea. Why don't you let Joe Torre manage the team? The fact that you write negative stories on everything does not mean you actually know anything.

[Steve Dilbeck]

Shart: Why would you read someone you thought didnt know anything?

[Steve Dilbeck]

Zen: I make enough strong comments without anyone making more up. I NEVER questioned Torre's toughness. It's just smart not to overwork a catcher, and clearly that didn't happen to him.

[Chris in the D]

Torre rested Posada frequently over the years in NY. In fact, Posada caught more than 140 games only once while Torre managed there. With the DH and a potent lineup its easier to rest your regulars. It seemed like Torre always found a way to get Jorgie one day off a week. So I would put it on Martin. The guy seems like the type who thinks he can play his way out of a slump. But his numbers are no slump. He's not even close to hitting the ball well. It's time to face the reality, the Dodgers need a more reliable hitting catcher if they really want to compete. Martin may well find his stroke and become a .280, 15 hr player again at some point in the future but is it really worth the wait???

[Pramod P]

100% agreement with you on this topic.

[Since '58]

Count me in too, Chris in the D. Martin isn't even that effective defensively any more. Too many passed balls and stolen bases.

[N.P.Krohn]

Martin needs to go somewhere else. At times he hits the ball as hard as anyone in baseball. At times he throws out runners with as strong and acurate arm as any backstop in the bigs. He runs fast, even playing too much. Reality though is everyday he gets lost in the count at bat and tries to overcompensate, rolling over ground balls, popping up or just striking out badly. How many times this week alone has he dropped the ball in transition getting up to throw out an attempted base stealer? I have seen many generous wild pitch calls that should have been passed balls including last night when Martin helped manufacture a run for the Fish, eventually trying to throw the ball to the left field tarp cause he couldn't decide whether he needed to take his mask off. We lost the game by a single run by the way. Ausmus is back in a couple of weeks. Martin's numbers will get worse as they have for each of the last three years. Ellis and Ausmus will both hit around .270 and be alot better defensively. We got a minor league all star in aaa. Martin needs a second chance somewhere else.