Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald has an excellent article about Red Sox catcher Victor Martinez this morning. Martinez explained that unlike some other players, he doesn't want to test free agency:
"I don't want to be jumping around, I don’t want to go somewhere else, First, I didn’t want to go out of the Indians organization. Then I'm out, and now I'm here. I came to the place where a lot of players dream to come and a lot of players wish to play here in Boston. So I'm here, I do really want to stay here and hopefully end my career in Boston."
Regarding possible extension talks, Martinez says he's "open now until the season starts." The Red Sox have a shot at getting a reasonable deal done, just as the Indians did when they locked Martinez up for five years at $15.5MM back in '05. For more Martinez discussion, check out this MLBTR post from Wednesday.
Screw Boston Victor, Detroit needs you and will offer you more money. haha. And he probably will only catch for one year before being moved to DH.
i think he would want to win more than money
That’s what they said about Bay right? And about 99% of every other FA.
Let’s not be naive. Does he want to win? Yes. If he doesnt think Boston’s offer is fair or market value then chances are he’ll sign somewhere else.
bay was always about the money though, never once did he show any intentions of re-signing with any of the offers we made him. not to say every other player isnt but some players will take less to stay somewhere or win with said team.
Gammons said they had a deal done with Bay for a 4 year deal, but then Boston had major concerns about his knees so they wanted to change the deal, Bay didnt and then they split.
So “never once did he show any intentions of re-signing” is a false statement.
“Gammons said”
Your first mistake!
exactly
Lol, oh now Red Sox fans dont like Gammons?
Come on, your original statement that Bay had no intention of resigning is false.
I like him. I just don’t listen to him.
In this guy’s defense, this was reported by just about every major news outlet. By multiple writers.
Gammons said they had a deal done with Bay for a 4 year deal, but then Boston had major concerns about his knees so they wanted to change the deal, Bay didnt and then they split.
So “never once did he show any intentions of re-signing” is a false statement.
As much as it pains me to openly agree with a Sox fan, you sir, are 100% correct. Bay showed his true intentions.
So his true intentions was to have pretty much a done deal with Boston, then have Boston back out because of his knees? That was his master plan all along?
Fact is, he had at least two solid offers from the Red Sox and he walked away. You can blame his knees or his idiot agent for opening his mouth, its up to Bay to decide wants it. And now he has to suffer with the mets.
As for V-Mart, its a matter if he is able to catch for another couple of years. Mauer is staying with the twins and who knows when the Padres will start taking Adrian Gonzalez talks.
So his true intentions was to have pretty much a done deal with Boston, then have Boston back out because of his knees? That was his master plan all along?
As much as it pains me to openly agree with a Sox fan, you sir, are 100% correct. Bay showed his true intentions.
“Then, following an All-Star break when the negotiations continued and the offer was upped to four years, $60 million, it appeared as though the momentum had hit a wall. While visiting Toronto for his team’s weekend series, Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein declared that nothing could be worked out and further talks would have to wait until after the regular season.
But it was during that same series that Bay had a change of heart, having had a long conversation with his wife, Kristen, which steered him back to the Boston offer. Upon returning to Boston from that road series, Bay told his agent, CAA’s Joe Urbon, that he wanted to accept the Sox’ offer.”
weei.com/sports/boston/baseball/red-sox/rob-bradfo…
bay was always about the money though, never once did he show any intentions of re-signing with any of the offers we made him. not to say every other player isnt but some players will take less to stay somewhere or win with said team.
That’s what they said about Bay right? And about 99% of every other FA.
Let’s not be naive. Does he want to win? Yes. If he doesnt think Boston’s offer is fair or market value then chances are he’ll sign somewhere else.
He could still win in Detroit, but not as much as in Boston. Detroit does have a TON of money coming off the books after this year, but I don’t think they should sign Martinez, who would be another aging player for the team.
i think he would want to win more than money
Screw Boston Victor, Detroit needs you and will offer you more money. haha. And he probably will only catch for one year before being moved to DH.
This is good news for Boston. Boston can lock up a top 3 MLB catcher easier then they probably deserve. I like Victor, love to see him sign a 4-5 year deal
I wouldn’t go as far as to say a top 3 MLB catcher. Perhaps not even top 10. I’d be looking to 1st base for the coming years, which unfortunately once again, does not solve the Red Sox catching issues.
He’d be a solid signing based on offensive production, but like the constant issue the Red Sox have, were do you play him. If the Sox really want to retain his services, they should plan for 1st and move Youk to third, which once again just keeps their infield merry go round, going round..
All in all he would be a good back up catcher long term to work with younger suitors and at first he would be valuable. Would he be worth signing? Sure, but not for 4 yrs and $60mm or anything of that nature.
ortiz and if we dont trade him lowell are coming off the books this year
I don’t understand your comment. Beltre is one year and this for the future. Martinez slides in at first in 2011 and Youk to 3rd. Yes Lowell will offically no longer be with the team at that point and unless Beltre then ok’s being a utility type, can’t see them resigning him going forward if the premium in on Martinez.
I don’t understand your comment. Beltre is one year and this for the future. Martinez slides in at first in 2011 and Youk to 3rd. Yes Lowell will offically no longer be with the team at that point and unless Beltre then ok’s being a utility type, can’t see them resigning him going forward if the premium in on Martinez.
ortiz and if we dont trade him lowell are coming off the books this year
I don’t usually like to see large contracts handed out, but I’d consider a pretty decent one for Martinez. His ability to catch and play first base gives him the versatility that Ortiz didnt have as a full time DH. If the Sox signed Martinez for four years (I don’t know about $15 per, though), he could slide to the DH position primarily while playing backup at both first and catcher in the latter years. The Sox have some good catching prospects a few years off and if Martinez could stick at the position another year or two, having Martinez on hand to back the position up while DHing primarily would give the Sox some good versatility while leaving first base open for a potential acquisition of Adrian Gonzalez or another first base option a couple years down the line.
I don’t usually like to see large contracts handed out, but I’d consider a pretty decent one for Martinez. His ability to catch and play first base gives him the versatility that Ortiz didnt have as a full time DH. If the Sox signed Martinez for four years (I don’t know about $15 per, though), he could slide to the DH position primarily while playing backup at both first and catcher in the latter years. The Sox have some good catching prospects a few years off and if Martinez could stick at the position another year or two, having Martinez on hand to back the position up while DHing primarily would give the Sox some good versatility while leaving first base open for a potential acquisition of Adrian Gonzalez or another first base option a couple years down the line.
“He’d be a solid signing based on offensive production”
Not if he’s signed for catcher money.
Behind Mauer and McCann who is better than V-Mart?
Mauer-1
McCann-2
Martinez-3
that’s it!
I wouldn’t go as far as to say a top 3 MLB catcher. Perhaps not even top 10. I’d be looking to 1st base for the coming years, which unfortunately once again, does not solve the Red Sox catching issues.
He’d be a solid signing based on offensive production, but like the constant issue the Red Sox have, were do you play him. If the Sox really want to retain his services, they should plan for 1st and move Youk to third, which once again just keeps their infield merry go round, going round..
All in all he would be a good back up catcher long term to work with younger suitors and at first he would be valuable. Would he be worth signing? Sure, but not for 4 yrs and $60mm or anything of that nature.
Top 3 catcher? Maybe with the bat, but not as an overall player.
Top 3 catcher? Maybe with the bat, but not as an overall player.
Top 3 offensive catcher, maybe, if he actually plays most of his time there. If not, his defense isn’t that good (if at all good) and he doesn’t play more than 70% of his games at catcher.
This is good news for Boston. Boston can lock up a top 3 MLB catcher easier then they probably deserve. I like Victor, love to see him sign a 4-5 year deal
I think he could get around 4-6/30-45, which averages about $7.5 million a year.
I would sign him to that in a heartbeat. With the pockets the Sox have, he’s worth that to full time DH alone.
I would sign him to that in a heartbeat. With the pockets the Sox have, he’s worth that to full time DH alone.
If he signs that contract, he will likely be enormously underpaid.
There are at least a few teams out there who would likely pay him premium catcher money as a FA.
I think he could get around 4-6/30-45, which averages about $7.5 million a year.
No-brainer, you can’t hinge on the fact that Maurer is going to be a free agent.
No-brainer, you can’t hinge on the fact that Maurer is going to be a free agent.
The fact that he ‘may’ not stick at catcher over the length of a multiyear deal should drive his price down. As a 1B/C he is nothing oustanding where at catcher maybe only Mauer and McCann are better.
agreed
agreed
‘As a 1B/DH’ I mean
I wonder how many years the Sox would want to go with him. Most of their best catcher specs are several years away right?
The Sox’ best guys finished last year at AA. Exposito is widely regarded as their #1 catching prospect, and most folks figure he’s got at least this year to go in the minors. With Ortiz potentially coming off the books there’s the possibility of an opening at DH, which I agree ought to come at a discount over catcher.
same with lowell, whether traded or riding it out he is too. theres no way we pick up ortiz option at 12.5. most teams are moving toward a high obp type player instead of the typical slugger like ortiz is for the dh
“most teams are moving toward a high obp type player instead of the typical slugger like ortiz is for the dh”
.288/.388/.578 -Ortiz’s numbers as Boston’s DH.
Pretty sure they are okay with that OBP.
I think he meant the player Ortiz is now, no longer in the prime of his career.
Yeah he was talking about recently, not over his career.
same with lowell, whether traded or riding it out he is too. theres no way we pick up ortiz option at 12.5. most teams are moving toward a high obp type player instead of the typical slugger like ortiz is for the dh
The Sox’ best guys finished last year at AA. Exposito is widely regarded as their #1 catching prospect, and most folks figure he’s got at least this year to go in the minors. With Ortiz potentially coming off the books there’s the possibility of an opening at DH, which I agree ought to come at a discount over catcher.
id be happy with 3 years with an team option
id be happy with 3 years with an team option
‘As a 1B/DH’ I mean
I wonder how many years the Sox would want to go with him. Most of their best catcher specs are several years away right?
The fact that he ‘may’ not stick at catcher over the length of a multiyear deal should drive his price down. As a 1B/C he is nothing oustanding where at catcher maybe only Mauer and McCann are better.
Even if he’s not going to stick at catcher full time then he could be available to catch part time, DH, and play first when necessary. Sign him.
Even if he’s not going to stick at catcher full time then he could be available to catch part time, DH, and play first when necessary. Sign him.
I don’t mind having a good player that wants to play in Boston.
I don’t mind having a good player that wants to play in Boston.
It would be a great idea to sign Martinez to a long term deal right now. Hes already just borderline a liability behind the plate so the team can make a smooth transition from one liability to the next.
On a side note, did anyone notice this article in the side bar of MLBTR?
nesn.com/2010/02/red-sox-projected-to-have-best-re…
That’s an interesting outlook. I have absolutely no idea how the hell they made this assessment, but it’s worth a good laugh for the moment.
Only in Boston could something so unrealistic be said. Winning 94 perhaps. However I wouldn’t hold my breath, but 94 being the best overall?
Tim this may deserve a discussion all of it’s own. Named “Which 2010 MLB will be the win’s leader” or “Which 2010 MLB will have have the biggest surprise of a season” None of us can predict, but come on..
You do realize that’s not NESN’s projection… that’s Nate Silver’s PECOTA projections. It should be noted that Silver doesn’t live in Boston.
Which brings me back to our previous double edged sword conversation… had they projected Boston in third would you have said something different?
THATS BS I DONT GET IT ESPN SEZ HOMERS WIN CHAMPSIONSHIPS! WTF! RED SOX SUX!
4 years 48 mil?
His future depends highly on if Mauer gets signed to an extension. Even then i think a fair contract for him would be 4/60.
No brainer for the Sox… get’er done Theo. I think $40-45M/4 years would do the trick. He’s not going to be the full time catcher for the next 4 years, but his C/1B/DH flexibility is valuable not to mention his excellent hitting. Go Sox!
The Sox will wait till Mauer signs before starting extension talks with V-Mart because if for some reason the Mauer talks fall apart you can bet Boston will go head-to-head with NYY in a bidding war for him. If Mauer gets extended by the Twins however, which seems likely, a V-Mart contract extension becomes a hot topic for sure. The main issue I would imagine is what their long terms plans for C are. V-Mart is the full-time catcher for this season but I doubt the Sox WANT him as the full-time C in 2011 and certainly not after that. None of our prospects will be ready for 2011, but they might be for 2012. But since the DH spot will basically be open after next season and Beltre could also be gone, it becomes much more likely for the Sox to use V-Mart as a DH or 1B and move Youk to 3rd. If they extend V-Mart and Beltre is only here for 1 season than he probably becomes the everyday 1B in 2011 with Youk @ 3rd. But if 1st and 3rd are still set for 2011 (either because A.Gonz becomes available or they find some other 3B/1B) then V-Mart becomes the full-time DH starting in 2011. Either way, with so much flexibility the Sox will certainly try to extend him once Mauer officially becomes a life-long Twin. My guess is something like 4 years/50mil