Russell Martin's deal with the Yankees could be worth as much $5.4 million

Russell Martin’s contract with the New York Yankees could be worth as much as $5.4 million, according to a baseball source who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the one-year deal hasn’t been officially announced.

Martin will be paid a base salary of $4 million and can earn another $1.4 million in incentives based on the number of games caught.

To maximize the value of the contract, Martin will have to appear in 120 games behind the plate.

Before declining to tender Martin a contract and making him a free agent, the Dodgers offered him a contract that included a $4.2-million base salary. The proposal included $1.1 million in incentives based on games started -– not games appeared -– and to receive the maximum amount, Martin would have had to start 140 games.

Had Martin accepted the Dodgers' offer and started 120 games next season, he would have earned $4.8 million.

Martin passed a physical exam Tuesday. Finishing touches are being put on the deal, which is expected to be announced by the end of the week.

-- Dylan Hernandez

Comments

[Jose]

Any idea if the Yankees' games caught v. Dodgers games started, though, is different? Sounds like it. Martin would likely have gotten plenty of starts around the diamond, while in NY he's confirming to only catch. Probably another big snag in the contract/signing.

[MK27]

so basically went to the yank-me's for $100,000 more....wow he just didnt want to be hear any more.

[The Boston Red Sox]

We love this Yankee signing.

[Sangroazul]

And this should matter to or effect the Dodgers because...

[Hollywood Dodger Mark]

Again the question becomes, why wasn't he traded?

[Hollywood Dodger Mark]

Hey Sangroazul:
Just so you understand why this matters:
Dodgers invested heavily in Russell Martin both in marketing and personnel, trading the likes of Dioner Navarro and Carlos Santana, keeping Ellis in the minors, and not to mention lettingMartin attempt to "regain" his earlier form to no avail. Martin's collapse as a player the last two years clearly effected the Dodgers' seasons. The fact that we ended up unprepared and neglected to trade him has left us with a 35-year-old journeyman named Barajas behind the plate. I am sure some of the readers can come up with other reasons that this "should matter or effect the Dodgers" as you so simply put it.

[kevin davis]

He may be a great guy, tough, everyday player, but his numbers had been declining the past two+ years. I spoke to my orthopedic surgeon just after he had his injury and his comment was that regardless of how soon he came back, he would never be the same guy due to the type of injury (hip). Fast forward to Martin declining what we now know is about the same type of money and he is out of LA and into NY. I hope he finds whatever groove propelled him to two all star appearances a few years ago as he wasn't showing it in LA anymore. Good luck.

[AbnerDodgerDay]

Takes a lot to break the spirit of a gamer like Russell Martin. But the Dodgers did it. He will regain his form in a quality organization working with Joe Girardi. Was a smart move for him at half the price. Smart move by McCourat to pocket another few million. As usual....the joke is on the fans.

[Ed Campos]

Why is everybody so stuck on last years numbers? We'll know what he has for 2011 in just a couple of months then we can grade the guy fairly. I for one hope he really stacks some good numbers next year.

[David S]

Don't forget what he will get in post season pay. Why would anyone want to play in LA when they can play for playoff bound Yankees?

[realistic_dodger_fan]

Martin was traded because the Yanks knew he was going to be non tendered. And if he wasnt and they came to agreement they could still trade for him after contract. It was clear though martin had an understanding that he could get the same amount of money and go elsewhere and it shows he believed he needed a fresh start. Broken down catcher with that many miles and lost the mind set that made him good great move Colleti

[sangroazul]

Uh Hollywood Mark. The articles is talking about the deal Martin has struck with the Yankees. Nothing more. Nothing less. I am not arguing our "unpreparedness", the signing of a bunch of stiffs this off-season, his last two yrs of crappy numbers, the deal made getting rid of Santanna, the marketing of the "Russell brand" I agree with you on. HOWEVER, this article was simply about the deal Martin signed with the Yanks. I couldn't care less if the guy signed for $1 million or $10 million. Dude is no longer our problem. He is irrelevant & so is hi spact with NY... You dig?

[Gangstaslapped]

The Dodgers have much more concern in other areas rather than sweat losing Russ. That being said, good luck. Martin was a true Dodger warrior and didn't slack on the field.

[Hollywood Dodger Mark]

Dodger payroll:
*$17,350,000 Total for players no longer in Dodger Blue
*$111,327,500 Grand Total (including new reliever at 4 million per year!)

So the actual on field Dodger payroll is:
$93,997,500
(about 12th or 13th in the league)(2009 - $100 mil /2010 -$94 mil)
Dodgers 3rd in attendance last year behind Yanks and Phils
3,562,320.
Yanks payroll last year $206,333,389
Phils payroll last year $141,927,381 (4th in baseball)

[Carlos A Nunez]

Russell Martin, this is what happens when you decide you want to half azz it and refuse to slide into home plate on a real close play and instead choose to go in standing like you obviously did. I still remember the play. Oh, and did I forget to mention the guy couldn't hit a fat guy with a piñata stick. And besides, he could had lessen the grueling grind of catching by switching to third base like the Dodgers asked him too. Face it, he did not want to be here anyways. Good Riddance Russell Martin. And besides, I am sure Barajas can bat over .230 and hit over 6 home runs in a year.......

[Zen]

Take the Vegas View.

When a dealer turns cold, he's replaced.

WHY he started losing and HOW LONG he'll be cold are metaphysical questions beyond the powers of pit bosses to resolve.

[These Dodgers Suck!!]

This would be funny if it weren't so sad ...

but $5.4 million for a catcher coming off that injury is a sick!

[K]

Russell Martin is clearly better off in pinstripes. Most Dodger fans think he wore out his welcome here, and management lost faith in him, not only as a catcher, but as a player.

With the Yankuis, Martin can start over and prove he's not a has-been at 27, and he knows he has a legitimate chance to play in the postseason every year, something that has become merely a dream in LA. I'm a lifelong Dodger fan, but I'll root for Russell. I want him to embarrass the Dodgers.

[Labeldude]

I'm a lifelong Dodger fan, but I'll root for Russell. I want him to embarrass the Dodgers.
.
Posted by: K | 12/16/2010 at 07:08 AM
.
.
Don't Frank 'n Furter do that enough already?

[izzylangfan]

The Yankee deal is essentially the same deal that the Dodgers offered except that Martin seems to have felt that he got a small raise from the Yankees, while the Dodger offer would have been a small cut. He definitely deserved a cut after his performance last year and I'm guessing that he was a strident hard head in negotiations. But in trying to save a hundred thousand here and there by not giving in to Martin the Dodgers screwed themselves up at catcher.

The McCourts decided to leverage the Dodgers to support their lifestyle with multiple houses and so fourth instead of spending money on salaries. It is a crime that a great franchise in a big city can't compete and it because of the selfish dealings of the owners and we can only hope they are forced to sell soon. But why isn't there more outrage in the press and among the citizens of LA. Calling him "the parking lot attendent" is derisive but misses the mark by a long shot. Raise a ruckus and get him the hell out of town.

[Terry]

Good for Russell Martin bad for da stinking sinking Dodgers. Frank and Jamie have scuttled the Dodger Blue into ruin. It's so sad to see this happen from so far away. While Martin's numbers may have dipped due to his injuries, his new contract with Yankees will surely boost his adrenalin and performance. Now tell me, who wouldn't be excited to play for the Yankees day in and day out?

Glad you past your physical Russell. And for my life long baseball team ever since you moved to L.A., get with the program and let's hope the McCourt's sell to someone who actually cares about the team and not their wallets and a "Screw You Spouce" battle.

[realistic_dodger_fan]

Martin needs KNEE surgery it all comes out...He became a lazy catcher and became a pull happy catcher...catching is the fastest way in and out of the bigs..His bat plays behind the dish n nowhere else

[Buster Posey]

The crime is not refusing to sign an injured Russell Martin for $4-5 million. The crime is not having Carlos Santana waiting in the wings to take over at a minimum salary. You just don't trade away a catcher with that much offensive potential for a mediocre old guy whose production will only decline year after year.

[Old Dodger fan]

i am glad he moved on.....he had his chances in the limelight and he showed to the dodger team that he wasn't good enough to be with them....and think dodgers were a pressure cooker.....oh, well,....at least he is gone....book closed

[BDB]

Russell Martin won't even make the Yankees' opening day roster.

[Richard Ortiz]

I talked to my hairdresser and she also said that Martins trouble was in his hips. He can't do the wahtoosie anymore or less than he use to. I like my chances with Navarro and co. fighting for a job.

[Cosmetic surgeon Los Angeles]

thanks for posting so much valuable information. I've no idea about this historical information of technology before. keep posting such valuable and informative article. thanks again!