Many assumed that retaining Martinez would be priority No. 1 of the offseason, despite the fact that he would be in his mid-30s by the time a long-term deal expired and that he never had the reputation as a standout defensive catcher. On the other hand, he is such a good hitter — as well as a respected member of the clubhouse — and he plays a position as vital as any in sports. Seemingly, it would leave Boston with a huge hole to fill.
By making massive upgrades elsewhere, retaining Jason Varitek and giving a vote of confidence to Jarrod Saltalamacchia, the club feels strongly that catching will not be an issue. However, it may be one of just a handful of positions where they cannot boast of a top 10 player. Because of Martinez, the Tigers can.
Keeping in mind both offensive and defensive capabilities, we've compiled a list of the 10 best catchers in the game today.
