Russell Martin Appreciation

[DirtyKash]

Easily the best player from the Montreal area now that Eric Gagne has "retired." Both of whom are, incidentally, former Dodgers.

[Hammer]

love him, absolutely love him. and im not even worried about his bat, just to watch a consummate professional behind the plate, after all those years of posada, is absolutely thrilling to me.

though, his bat is a plus.

[Kingdom]

I think this is how a conversation in Boston's front office went in the offseason: exec A "Should we push hard for Martin, we have a lot of doubt behind the plate now. He used to be really good before injuries.", exec B "I think he's just on a downward spiral and isn't worth much. Let the Empire have him, it only impedes Montero's promotion. Besides, we can manage with Jarrod Saltalamacchia once he learns to throw to 2nd again, and Jason Varitek is still around. I know he could be Theo's grandfather but he's the Captain damn it. And we will just bring in Kevin Cash and find a Molina that's willing to work for food. It'll be fine."

[Hammer]

yep, sounds about right to me. seriously, i feel bad for mofo, because i seen how he knocked 'jeanson'... but the man is the truth. very good catcher, very good hitter... i couldnt be happier with a signing. and i was one of the, likely many, who knocked the signing because it shut montero down. could not be happier right now, however. probably my favorite player on the team right now.

[HollywoodLeo]

Mofo would find something to complain about with Babe Ruth on his team.

[realmofotalk]

Before you assholes keep piling on me with your revisionist history of Russell Martin's career, I suggest that you take a hard look at how his batting stats, particularly his slugging percentage, have dropped in three straight years with the Dodgers. We call that a bear market in Wall Street.

[realmofotalk]

exec B "I think he's just on a downward spiral and isn't worth much."

And 9 out of 10 times, exec B would be correct.

[Hammer]

And 9 out of 10 times, exec B would be correct.

alas, that one is this year.

[Kingdom]

Yeah but exec B is also the same guy that said "We need to get this guy!" when John Lackey became a FA.

[realmofotalk]

Martin got off to a ferocious start in New York, hitting 9 homers in the first month of the season. He’s been atrocious since then, battling a knee injury and hitting only .184/.296/.282 since April 25.

But at least you'll be happy to know I'll still take Jeanson over Rod Barajas and Dioner Navarro.

[Hammer]

the guy is a blowjob. yea complete contradiction to my first reply... dont care. montero shouldve been up a month ago. especially since cervelli sucks too.

[Kingdom]

Early applause to Girardi never giving him a day off for the longest time. Cause anytime you can use an injury prone catcher hardcore, you gotta do it.

Montero..Romine..Gary Sanchez and his Porn Business.

[Hammer]

im hearing sanchez took a step back honestly. and romine was never more than a really good defensive catcher with a mediocre bat. we're still strong at the top of the system... montero, banuelos and betances all arguably top 25 prospects... but we've cooled off in the middle with the two backup catchers dropping a touch, and brackman being absolutely horrendous.

[Kingdom]

Wouldn't be the worst thing ever if Romine is just your backup. He'd be the American version of Jose Molina. Maybe he'll start a chain of Romines popping up in the bigs.

[zodious]

Report: Jesus Montero on verge of callup to Yankees. Does this mean the end of Jorge Posada?