Free agency can change a man’s tune.
Catcher Russell Martin, who is set to hit the open market after spending the last two seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates, apparently no longer hates the Red Sox. In fact, he thinks very highly of Boston.
“It’s definitely a place to consider if the option is there,” Martin told WEEI.com’s Rob Bradford during a late September interview of potentially signing with the Red Sox in free agency.
In all likelihood, Martin won’t end up with Boston. Christian Vazquez did enough down the stretch to earn an Opening Day nod next season. And while general manager Ben Cherington said the club intends to sign a catcher this offseason, the Red Sox’s sights likely will be set on a backup backstop. Martin figures to land a good chunk of change to be a starter somewhere after two productive seasons in the Steel City.
Martin’s willingness to suit up for the Sox still is interesting, though. The 31-year-old said back in 2011 that he hated the Red Sox, though the comment obviously was driven by him donning pinstripes. Martin, who spent his first five seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers, played for the New York Yankees in 2011 and 2012.
Martin is the best catcher available this winter. He hit .290 with 11 homers, 67 RBIs and a .402 on-base percentage with the Bucs this season while also emerging as an energetic leader. The Red Sox probably won’t make a strong pursuit with Vazquez looking like a viable starter and top prospect Blake Swihart waiting in the wings, but Boston actually considered signing the catcher four years ago before he landed in the Bronx.
“I think with the injury I was coming back from, the hip injury, I think (the Red Sox’s) doctors were concerned and the Yankees were a bit more aggressive,” Martin told Bradford. “I think that’s what it came down to.
“It’s a great baseball town. People love their baseball. For the most part, they’ve always been competitive. They’ve got a great team. (Dustin) Pedroia is one of my personal favorites. I love the way he competes so it would be a pleasure playing with him.”
Martin obviously is a very good catcher. He also happens to be a wise businessman.
Photo via Daniel Shirey/USA TODAY Sports Images
