Russell Martin has signed with the Blue Jays. (Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports)
Free agent catcher Russell Martin is heading north for the winter. Martin, the top catcher on the market, reportedly agreed to a five-year, $82 million contract with the Toronto Blue Jays.
The Blue Jays were able to lure Martin by adding a fifth year and significant value to his contract, which trumped offers from several teams, including the Chicago Cubs and Pittsburgh Pirates. The Dodgers hoped Martin would return to Los Angeles where he began his career but did not offer a no-trade clause.
Martin hit .290 with 11 home runs in Pittsburgh last season, where his on-base percentage was .402 and he earned a base salary of $8.5 million. Martin, 31, also led all catchers throwing out 37 attempted base-stealers.
The contract exceeds the five-year, $80 million contract the New York Yankees gave catcher Brian McCann last offseason.
Dioner Navarro could be a trade candidate for the Blue Jays at the upcoming winter meetings in San Diego.
Martin was not granted a no-trade clause in Toronto. The Blue Jays don’t have a player on the roster with a no-trade.
He enters his 10th MLB season with a career .259 batting average, 119 home runs and 540 RBIs.
