 |
| Martin could be a steal for the Yankees in 2011. |
Martin is coming off both hip and knee surgery this offseason and caught for the first time this spring, Friday versus the Boston Red Sox. Martin, who signed a one-year contract with the Yankees, could prove to be extremely valuable to them in 2011.
With longtime catcher Jorge Posada moving to an unfamiliar full-time DH role, the starting catching duties belong solely to Martin. He is still one of the best defensive catchers in Major League Baseball, throwing out 39 percent of all base runners in 2010, which is a significant jump from the 15 percent Posada posted a year ago.
The 2007 Gold Glove winner is being asked by the Yankees to lead a pitching staff that has a lot of question marks, with the offseason consisting of the retirement of Andy Pettitte and Cliff Lee signing with the Philadelphia Phillies.
Martin has fallen from being regarded as one of the best catchers in baseball after dropping off significantly offensively the past two seasons, averaging a .250 batting average over that span. Hitting in the bottom half of the Yankee order and not having to be the centerpiece of the offense should help Martin regain his All-Star form.
With less pressure and a fresh start, the two-time All-Star could have a huge year in the Bronx.
Martin, still only 28, is a .272 career hitter and has hit as many as 19 home runs in a single-season.
The Canadian native has shown he can handle the pressure of being a Major Leaguer, homering in his first big league at-bat back in 2006. He also adds a dimension not many teams have behind the plate, swiping 66 career stolen bases in five seasons. The Yankees have taken a chance on Martin, not to carry an offense, but stay healthy and nourish an uncertain pitching staff.
If all goes right, Martin should have a bounce back season in '11 and be a hot free agent target this coming winter.
No comments:
Post a Comment