"This is the perfect time to work on the stuff that you really want to work on," Martinez told the Globe. "I got into Boston, and it was kind of late in the season, and when you're in the middle of the race, you don't really have the chance to work on something."
The Red Sox acquired Martinez at last year's trade deadline, but the former Indians catcher only played 33 games behind the plate for Boston. The eight-year veteran sees spring training as an opportunity to solidify his place as the team's full-time catcher.
"This is all new for me," Martinez said. "The good thing is that I get to be with them for a couple of months. That makes things a lot easier."
Jason Varitek held down the starting catching duties for the Red Sox for a decade, playing at least 103 games behind the plate in 10 of the last 11 seasons. However, the 37-year-old hit .209 in 109 games last year, and enters this season in a backup role.
Martinez recognizes that Varitek will play a major role in his success behind the plate in 2010.
"I'm going to be with Jason," Martinez said. "That's a guy that really makes a big difference for me in this clubhouse and on this team."
Martinez hit .336 in 56 games with the Red Sox in 2009, and the team hopes he'll provide similar numbers as the full-time catcher this year.
