2012 Russell Martin Performance Thread

[fredgmuggs]

Everyday catchers tend not to get healthier as the season goes on. The break might help, but a week of crouching and he'll be hurting again.

I'm too lazy to look it up - how old is Martin?

[Yankee Tripper]

Here's to a healthier / better second half for Mr. Martin. When healthy, he can be one of the best in the game.

I think it hase been a long time since this claim could be made, like his early Dodger days.

But if he could go .250/.350/.400 with 10 HRs and play good defense in the 2nd half, I'll sign up up for that right now. Heck if could just match last year's overall line of .237/.324/.408 from here on out, that wouldn't be terrible.

[Yankee Tripper]

I'm too lazy to look it up - how old is Martin?

He's 29

[fredgmuggs]

He's 29

I thought he was a couple years older than that. I guess he just plays like he's 39.

[grizy]

speaking from personal experience, that's right about when metabolism and recovery slow down.

[False1]

Here's to a healthier / better second half for Mr. Martin. When healthy, he can be one of the best in the game.

If only because it can't get much worse offensively, I'm expecting him to snap back in the 2nd half.

[apalradio]

If only because it can't get much worse offensively, I'm expecting him to snap back in the 2nd half.

I hope you're right, but it would almost be like magic. Based on his performance for the entire first half, what indication is there that this could possibly happen?

[grizy]

his .193 BABIP is even lower than Teixeira's hitting into the shift.

[Cheeselover]

The team needs an offensive upgrade somewhere. Catcher and DH are the only two logical/possible places. If Cashman is sticking with Martin, I can only hope an upgrade is made at DH.

[JL25and3]

The team needs an offensive upgrade somewhere. Catcher and DH are the only two logical/possible places. If Cashman is sticking with Martin, I can only hope an upgrade is made at DH.

The Yankees are getting a combined .308/.375/.517 out of the DH spot.

[Cheeselover]

The Yankees are getting a combined .308/.375/.517 out of the DH spot.

That's nice, however it doesn't really show the reality of the situation.

[Yankee Tripper]

The Yankees are getting a combined .308/.375/.517 out of the DH spot.

So much for rotating DH not working.

If they acquire someone I'd hope it would be an OF under control past next season and add the OF to the rotating DH if need be.

Though I expect they will be quiet on the trade front having you know the best record in baseball with CC coming back next week, Joba and Gardner maybe end of the month and Andy end of next month.

[False1]

That's nice, however it doesn't really show the reality of the situation.

How does it not? A-Rod and Jeter are going to get DH at bats regardless, and the guys that would logically platoon (if Gardner weren't injured) at DH (Jones 206 sOPS+ as DH and Ibanez 166 sOPS+ as DH) have hit well when used that way. They've struggled at the plate when used as position players, which (you can see it in their eyes! notwithstanding) might have something to do with their comfort level sporadically playing in the field at this point in their careers.

I would however like to see Branyan unleashed upon Yankee Stadium at some point.

[nnysiny]

That's nice, however it doesn't really show the reality of the situation.

huhhhhhhhhhhhh

[JL25and3]

How does it not? A-Rod and Jeter are going to get DH at bats regardless, and the guys that would logically platoon (if Gardner weren't injured) at DH (Jones 206 sOPS+ as DH and Ibanez 166 sOPS+ as DH) have hit well when used that way. They've struggled at the plate when used as position players, which (you can see it in their eyes! notwithstanding) might have something to do with their comfort level sporadically playing in the field at this point in their careers.

I would however like to see Branyan unleashed upon Yankee Stadium at some point.

Despite my oft-stated position on psychological interpretation, I will say this: if I were Raul Ibanez, I'd get pretty nervous any time I had to play the outfield.

[Cheeselover]

How does it not? A-Rod and Jeter are going to get DH at bats regardless, and the guys that would logically platoon (if Gardner weren't injured) at DH (Jones 206 sOPS+ as DH and Ibanez 166 sOPS+ as DH) have hit well when used that way. They've struggled at the plate when used as position players, which (you can see it in their eyes! notwithstanding) might have something to do with their comfort level sporadically playing in the field at this point in their careers.

I would however like to see Branyan unleashed upon Yankee Stadium at some point.

I agree Ibanez and Jones have both hit exceptionally well when playing DH. However, I don't believe the numbers they are producing are actually sustainable and are of any indication of what is come in the future. If you look at their numbers the last few years, it looks more of a fluke to me. Also, I know you stated, "you can see it in their eyes," as somewhat tongue in cheek, however Ibanez has been playing in the NL the last many years and Jones looks great in the OF. Again, I don't think it has to do with comfort levels, I think it's just a freak occurrence.

The only one that is DH'ing close to his what he should be is A-Rod. However, again, I'm not so sure those numbers aren't just a fluke and it wouldn't make any sense to get a 3B to replace Alex so he can DH considering his contract.

[Shadoux101]

I think it hase been a long time since this claim could be made, like his early Dodger days.

But if he could go .250/.350/.400 with 10 HRs and play good defense in the 2nd half, I'll sign up up for that right now. Heck if could just match last year's overall line of .237/.324/.408 from here on out, that wouldn't be terrible.

I disagree. When healthy, his offensive production plays very nice from the catchers spot. Defensively, his pitch framing alone is worth more runs saved than even Cano's production as a second baseman is offensively compared to average. Again, just his pitch framing is worth him behind the plate.

Jump back to my previous posts in this previous thread even and you will see what I mean.

When healthy, he is elite. Hope for health and this guy in the lineup for years to come.

[b-ball-lunachick]

From ESPN INsider:

The Yankees have no plans to trade for a new catcher despite a horrendous first half by Russell Martin, says Marc Carig of the Star-Ledger.

Martin recently went hitless in 30 straight at-bats and is hitting .179 at the break. "I believe in Russell Martin, period," GM Brian Cashman said.

It remains to be seen of Cashman will feel the same way if Martin continues to struggle early in the second half. ESPN Insider's Jim Bowden wrote Tuesday that the Athletics could be looking to deal Kurt Suzuki and listed the Yankees as a possible destination.

[freebubba]

Stewart also seems to be a pretty good defensive catcher with some of those same pitch framing capabilities. I say if Martin doesn't pick it up by the end of July, DFA him and bring Cervelli back. Remember that guy?

[Shadoux101]

Stewart also seems to be a pretty good defensive catcher with some of those same pitch framing capabilities. I say if Martin doesn't pick it up by the end of July, DFA him and bring Cervelli back. Remember that guy?

Serious?

[freebubba]

Serious?

Partially. I just get the feeling that his "framing" abilities are getting the "Veritek intangible game calling/the best in the business at working with pitchers" treatment. Stewart and Cervelli are more than adequate defensive catchers. Like I said, if Martin comes out and puts up even .240/.310/.400, I'd be happy about that at this point. But, if he just cant get it together offensively, he at least has to sit more, IMO.

[JL25and3]

Partially. I just get the feeling that his "framing" abilities are getting the "Veritek intangible game calling/the best in the business at working with pitchers" treatment. Stewart and Cervelli are more than adequate defensive catchers. Like I said, if Martin comes out and puts up even .240/.310/.400, I'd be happy about that at this point. But, if he just cant get it together offensively, he at least has to sit more, IMO.

I don't think either Stewart or Cervelli could sustain those offensive numbers as an everyday catcher, and Cervelli (at least) is obviously inferior to Martin defensively.

[False1]

From ESPN INsider:

Kurt Suzuki?? The .211 / .248 / .259 Kurt Suzuki that catches, or is there another one?? The one that makes $5MM this year, and $7MM next year?

[JL25and3]

Kurt Suzuki?? The .211 / .248 / .259 Kurt Suzuki that catches, or is there another one?? The one that makes $5MM this year, and $7MM next year?

There are probably a bunch of Kurt Suzukis running around that we don't know about. Because it couldn't be that one.

[False1]

Partially. I just get the feeling that his "framing" abilities are getting the "Veritek intangible game calling/the best in the business at working with pitchers" treatment. Stewart and Cervelli are more than adequate defensive catchers. Like I said, if Martin comes out and puts up even .240/.310/.400, I'd be happy about that at this point. But, if he just cant get it together offensively, he at least has to sit more, IMO.

I'd sign up for that too, and I think he's capable of it, but that's well above what you should expect from Stewart and probably out of Cervelli's reach as well. From what I've seen/read, Martin is superior to those guys defensively - particularly Cervelli.