The Chicago Cubs are current leaders in the competition for the season's biggest-name free agent catcher, Russell Martin, Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports reported Sunday night. The number on the table, according to what rival executives told Rosenthal, is believed to be in the $64 million across four years.
Cubs leaders in Russell Martin sweepstakes, per report
Chicago appears to be at the head of the line for the services of free agent catcher Russell Martin, rival executives told Ken Rosenthal.
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The 31-year-old Martin picked a good time to have one of the best seasons of his career. After a meandering five years with the Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees and Pittsburgh Pirates during which he had a .702 OPS, he batted .290 in 2014 with a .402 on-base percentage and .430 slugging average. It's hard not to notice the improvement is almost entirely driven by a .336 BABIP -- the highest figure in Martin's career -- while his walk ratio and power remained pretty close to his career averages. Martin is above average defensively, but any team purchasing his services right now is getting an aging catcher coming off a career year.
Martin turned down the Pirates’ qualifying offer, which may inhibit the contract he receives, but the Cubs own the ninth pick in the 2015 amateur draft -- a protected pick -- so that would not play into the equation.
It's easy to see why the Cubs would be tempted. According to Baseball Reference, their catchers were worth 1.6 wins worse than average, which ranks them 27th in the league. Welington Castillo sits atop their depth chart at the position. He made 103 starts in 214, batting .237/.296/.389. Al Yellon of Bleed Cubbie Blue describes him as "serviceable." However, Castillo's defense makes up for his offensive shortcomings and the Cubs have a lot of holes to fill, so they might not feel Martin is a must-have acquisition.
MLB Trade Rumors projected Martin will receive a four-year contract worth $72.5 million, a bit shy of the $75 million he hopes to make. The Dodgers should also be considered among the favorites to win Martin’s services.
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