Less than 24 hours after missing out on pitcher Cliff Lee, the Yankees finally made a splash in the free-agent pool — although most New Englanders would rate this splash about a solid 5.
According to MLB.com, the Yanks beat out both the Red Sox and Blue Jays and have agreed to a deal with free-agent catcher Russell Martin.
NBC reports that it's a one-year deal and that the Yankees will likely announce the signing on Tuesday, pending a physical.
If Martin, who had a hairline fracture in his hip in 2010, passes his physical and joins the club, New York would have four catchers either big league ready or on the cusp of making the leap. Martin is projected to start while Jorge Posada will likely serve as the team's designated hitter. The team also has a pair of young backstops in 24-year-old Francisco Cervelli and 21-year-old Jesus Montero, the organization's top prospect.
Martin, who turns 28 in February, hit .248 in 387 plate appearances for the Dodgers before being non-tendered this offseason.
