9:59pm: Rosenthal tweets that the Blue Jays could also be seriously involved in the pursuit for Martin. The Tigers worried that the Jays would outbid them for Victor Martinez, Rosenthal writes, seemingly implying that the Jays have the funds needed to land Martin, who looks like he might end up signing a similar contract.
8:43pm: Executives involved in negotiations with free agent catcher Russell Martin believe the Cubs are the leading bidders, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports tweets. Rosenthal further suggests that the negotiations are heading toward a deal in the range of four years and $64MM, a bit less than the five years and $72.5MM MLBTR’s Steve Adams recently projected for Martin.
The other teams most strongly connected to Martin have been the Dodgers, Blue Jays and Pirates, although the Pirates recently traded for Francisco Cervelli, a possible indication that they feel it’s unlikely they can re-sign their catcher. They extended Martin a qualifying offer, which he declined. The Cubs’ top pick (No. 9 overall) is protected, so they’ll only have to give up their second-round pick if they sign Martin.
A report early in November indicated that the Cubs intended to pursue Martin. The team intends to be a major bidder for top free agents this offseason, and Martin represents a significant offensive upgrade over incumbent Welington Castillo. Also, Martin excels at framing and has gotten excellent marks for his work with pitchers, two good traits for a team aiming to develop young pitching.
Voice of Reason
The Cubs don’t need a 32 year old catcher for four years at that price. It has bad news written all over it. The Cubs need to take a hard pass and trade for Avila, instead.
Danny 11
Or trade Castro to the Mets for a package built around Kevin Plawecki and Zack Wheeler.
Johnie
Plawecki! A fellow Boiler alum! I would love that trade, but is he ready for the big leagues? More so than Schwarber?
Danny 11
I don’t think Schwarber is a catcher. Plawecki is basically big league ready but in blocked by Travis d’Arnaud.
Seamaholic
Umm … you mean acquire Wheeler for a package “built around” Castro, right? You’re not getting Wheeler straight up for Castro, let alone getting the Mets best position player prospect on top of it.
Johnie
While I see your logic, the same could be said the other way. Wheeler has shown some great potential but Castro is young, controllable, and a two-time all star. He’s more of a sure thing then Wheeler at this point. Castro gets a raw deal.
Seamaholic
Castro is projected as a league average player next year — 101 wRC+, 2 WAR. In fact, B-R saw him as league average THIS year, All-Star notwithstanding. And he makes real money with raises built in. No way you get a guy with Wheeler’s upside who makes league minimum PLUS Plawecki. If the Cubs add something you maybe get Wheeler alone. Or more likely someone like Niese.
Voice of Reason
There is no way the Cubs need to trade an all star shortstop who is young and at a great price for Wheeler.
We can trade you Baez, but not Castro.
Seamaholic
I think that’s the opposite of what the industry thinks. Personally, I wouldn’t trade a lot for either guy, but for totally different reasons. Castro I think is a “meh” kind of league average dude with a penchant for awful defensive years at a premium position. Baez has monster upside but I suspect will never get there, although loads of teams will probably give him a chance.
EB
Baez is worth more Wheeler. Castro is worth at least Wheeler. His contract is long term and very reasonable.
Matt 49
Castro w/ three ~3 WAR seasons and is age 24 SS. Get real w/ Wheeler. You want to talk WAR? He’s projected for 1.3 next year. He’s never been worth even 2 wins above replacement.
robert-5
Well enjoy Ruben Tejada
DirtyJay 3
People place way to much value on potential, just saying.
Nick Hyde
I think this is exactly why the Cubs and Mets are the most un-perfect perfect match. Cubs fans and Mets fans are probably think close to the way Alderson and Theo think. Cubs don’t want to give up Castro for only Wheeler. Mets don’t want to give up Wheeler for only Castro.
Jim Johnson
THREE time All-Star!!!!!!
jasonpen
Yeah, because Wheeler is the 24 year old 3-time All-Star… You tell him.
Danny 11
I’m a Mets fan. I want to deal Wheeler and Plawecki for Castro.
Voice of Reason
The Cubs are looking to compete next year. So, they shouldn’t trade an all star shortstop who is young and has averaged 180 hits a year in his career. That’s tough to make up in a line up.
Work out a package involving Baez, but not Castro!
Matlack
Nice trade for the Cubs.
canikickit
Mets are gonna want Russell more than Castro.
LazerTown
Avila has had some major concussion problems.
JJ 3
I agree with you, the Cubs don’t need a 32 year old catcher for four years at that price but Avila is a worst option with his concussions problems. The Cubs should try to sign Matt Wieters if he can stay healthy after 2015.
Voice of Reason
Avila is in the final year of his contract and will make $6 million. If he does bad then you let him walk. He will be 28 next year and in his prime. He is left handed so he can platoon with Castillo, he has a solid OBP and some pop AND he is solid defensively.
Avila wants a big payday which means he should come ready to have a big season. Plus, you’re not turning your back on Castillo who did show improvement last year.
Nick Hyde
Martin is wanted for more than performance though. He has playoff experience and is a great leader. He will do wonders with the cubs staff and young team. Towards the end of his contract is when schwarber comes up. Martin shows schwarber what he knows and over time schwarber takes the playing time.
Avila would cost prospects and then there’s a chance he doesn’t resign with the cubs next year. And if he does resign, he’ll cost a big payday like you said. Then the Cubs would run into the problem of 30 year old Avila locked into mid-contract when schwarber comes up
JJ 3
so why would the cubs trade their prospects for one good/bad year of Avila? and why would the tigers trade him?
Voice of Reason
The Cubs would trade for Avila for one year for his experience and solid defense and his OBP and pop in his bat. He can platroon with Castillo. Maybe Castillo earns the job full time next year and the Cubs let Avila walk? Maybe they extend Avila? There are so many options and it’s his last year of contract so very little risk. It just makes sense.
Why would the Tigers trade Avila? They want to get their young cater, McCann, up with the big league team. And, they can save a little money. Avila makes $6 million this year.
bucsws2014
There’s a decent chance Avila is non-tendered, thus wouldn’t cost significant prospects.
Eric 22
Martin would be a perfect fit to handle the wildness that comes with the Cubs’ young, hard-throwing relievers.
Steve 39
I’d rather have Wieters after next year
Johnie
I liked the idea of Wieters…a few years ago. His growing injury history concerns me.
Steve 39
He has played at least 130 games every year until this year. You have this upcoming year to see about his arm
petrie000
Wieters might want one of those 6 year deals, though, given his age. And that’s a lot to commit to a catcher given the wear and tear of the position
Steve 39
Yeah being a Boras client does’t help
petrie000
i won’t say anything bad about Wieters, but the Cubs have a couple of interesting catcher prospects in the minors, even if they’re a few seasons off. i’d rather not even give Martin 4 years even with all his upside.
Steve 39
The first two years of a Martin contract will be fine, the last 2 are what scare me
petrie000
that’s exactly my thinking. He’s worth the money now… later is the big question.
Johnie
Yes, we will see. I also don’t know how much longer he will stay at catcher. The biggest thing that concerns me about his arm injury is that he was solid at controlling baserunners but may never be 100% again, thus decreasing his value.
Trock
Do they think Schwarber is that far off to sign Martin to 4 years? Castillo would be fine for a few years until he is ready. I would only be comfortable with Martin for 2 tops
LazerTown
There are real questions if Schwarber can actually catch.
Aaron Stahl
Who has stated this. He will take time to develop, but Theo and Jed have stated he is moving to full time catcher next season.
petrie000
everybody, pretty much. I’m a Cubs fan but realistically the jury’s out on Schwarber as a catcher. Until we actually see him in AA this year, nobody seems to know for sure where he’ll end up.
Aaron Stahl
I don’t know where you are reading this but maybe you should take a look at what has been stated recently.
petrie000
recently we’ve heard the organization say they’re pleased with his progress (as if they’d say anything else) and all the scouting sites saying the catcher question is far from settled. I’m a fan of Schwarber’s bat, and the kid’s got great work ethic… but yeah, i have to see it to believe it before i’m a believer of him behind the plate.
Seamaholic
Jury’s still out on the guy in every way. He was a polished college hitter in a low level minor league, hitting mostly against HS kids. Wait and see.
CBBBB2
A+ ball is not HS kids…
petrie000
it’s not that far removed, honestly. most of the competition is, in fact, kids drafted out of high school, newly drafted college players or international players working their way up slowly.
to say Schwarber’s proven nothing yet is a fair point to make. He’ll get his chance to prove himself in AA against other,more advanced prospects.
LazerTown
A large number of scouts, talent evaluators, etc. Haven’t really heard anything more positive than he will have to move off catcher eventually.
stl_cards16
I don’t think there’s any question he can catch. It was just a matter of it was worth delaying him getting to the majors by having him catch.
JJ 3
Schwarber is playing OF in the minors
Chiburgh
Actually, he saw some time at C and in the OF. The few games I saw, he was a beast behind the plate. Gun for an arm.
petrie000
He played mostly DH and OF… though officially that was because they didn’t want to wear him out. defensively he gets mixed reviews… though ‘average’ seems to be his ceiling even if you’re optimistic.
Matt 49
Actually he played more games at C than DH.
Chiburgh
16 DH
20 C
36 LF
LazerTown
Really?
Heard was more average, which is fine.
Chiburgh
I can only confirm what I saw.
stl_cards16
The Cubs have said he will be catching in 2015. It appears they have scrapped the Schwarber to the OF idea.
ambassgray
he was playing C, OF, and DH..the Cubs did not want to wear him out after he played a full college season. The Cubs then sent him to the Arizona instructional league this fall to concentrate full time at catching. I think they are going to give him a shot at it..why wouldn’t they? A left handed power hitting catcher is a big commodity.
petrie000
Schwarber’s 2-3 years away if they intend for him to stick at Catcher. But even then he’ll be making the minimum, so even if he takes Martin’s job, over-paying Martin as a back-up is a lot more palatable than it would be if you had to buy his replacement.
anything more than 4 years for Martin scares me, though.
Aaron Stahl
It is going to take a significant amount of time, at the earliest Schwarber will be ready to go in 2 years. This will be moving in to Martin’s 3rd year of contract. He can fill in at this time. Then by the next year the can move further into the full time position. This is how catching prospects progress, it takes longer than standard position prospects.
Eric 22
Schwarber is at least two years away from Chicago, even if the Cubs have Martin working with him extensively.
Dock_Elvis
I believe in most scenarios that “veteran works with minor league prospect” hype is overblown. These guys spend little time together and have their own games to be concerned with. Do guys pick minds..sure! But that can’t equate much to an player’s development
robert-5
Prospects are prospects, no guarantee this kid, talented as he is, even makes it to MLB. The bigger doubt is if he makes it as a catcher. If he does, it will take longer to develop defensively, and having a veteran like Russell Martin to teach him the ropes would be an ideal situation. If the Cubs want to win now, having Martin would be a huge boost in the right direction, particularly if he helps draw in FA pitching.
WindsorJaysFan
AA plz
BlueSkyLA
At four years the Dodgers are probably interested. Dollars to doughnuts it’s going to be four + an option.
zeepatch
Cubs signing Russell Martin would be perfect. Sure, hes no Yadi or Salvy, but overpaying for Martin is worth it if they want to make playoffs. You simply cannot quantify the success of a dynamic catcher.
Shane Flannagan
I would think Martin wanted 5 years and Cubs 3 years so that means he will get 4 years. Works out well for the Cubs I think since I think Schwarber will be ready in 2-3 years. Martin bring in great leadership into the clubhouse and run our young pitching staff. Hope it gets done and we get Lester along with him
CascadianAbroad
I like it! Three years would be better, but if he’s an overpaid backup and a leader in the clubhouse in four years, that’d be OK because that’d mean a better option emerged in Schwarber or even Castillo.
Dock_Elvis
Martin to the Cubs early in the off season means starting pitching is on the way as well.
Stonehands
Yes please! this means I actually got one right on the FA contest!
Dylan Jones
Hes a perfect fit for Chicago. Its like having our own Yadier Molina! Very good defensive player and can mature a lot of our young pitchers. Go for it Cubbies!
Shane Flannagan
Ahhh maybe not so Molina but yes he would be a great fit for the Cubs. Bring in some leadership as well
EB
This is a great way for the Cubs to upgrade. I just read how catchers surprisingly don’t decline much at his age, plus he’s in amazing shape and the Cubs can really use an upgrade at the position. This is a no brainer for the Cubs given how much money they have to spend.
The_Porcupine
Makes no sense for the Jays to waste their money on a catcher like Martin. Just cause he’s Canadian doesn’t mean he’s that’s big of an upgrade. I means seriously, sign a catcher to more Navaro to DH? Keep Navarro at catcher, use the money on the pitching staff and outfield.
Tools_of_Ignorance
Uh, it’s not because he’s Canadian. It’s because it’s a massive upgrade – even if his offense falls off. And even that doesn’t guarantee Dinner DHs.
Jaysfan1994 2
Martin being Canadian would mean easy sponsorships if he signs with Toronto. I really hope they pitched that to him.
Gator McCluskey
As a Pirates fan, i liked Russ Martin. But someone is going to do some incredible over-paying for his talents. Yeah, he was a leader and surely an anchor for the pitching staff. Yeah, he had a career year with the bat last year. But it’s clear that he intends to break the bank.
Sorry, but I don’t see him as the piece the Cubs need to move forward. Not at that cost.
dc21892
I see the idea here for the Cubs, but I feel like that’s an awful lot of money for Martin.