Due to the financial disarray created by the McCourt divorce, Russell Martin may be growing too expensive for the Los Angeles Dodgers to retain beyond this season, and the Boston Red Sox could try to “make a run” at the All-Star catcher, according to NESN analyst Peter Gammons.
While the Dodgers have indicated they are willing to spend at this year’s trade deadline, their sincerity and ability must be questioned due to the financial gridlock caused by ownership’s protracted divorce proceedings.
Arbitration-eligible again at the conclusion of the 2010 campaign, Martin looks to receive a significant raise should he wish to take his talents before an arbitration panel. If the Dodgers wish to avoid that uncomfortable scenario, they will need to make a substantial offer of their own in advance of that. Gammons and others question whether they have the resources to do so.
Connecting the dots between Martin’s potential availability and the Red Sox’ need for a strong offensive and defensive presence behind the plate, Gammons has suggested Boston as a likely fit for Martin, perhaps before the trade deadline, perhaps in the offseason.
With Victor Martinez set to hit the market as a Type-A free agent, the Red Sox could very well wish to offer him arbitration, collect their compensation picks for a very strong 2011 draft class, and make a deal for Martin.
Los Angeles is currently 5.5 games back in the National League West, and firmly in third place in both the divisional and wild card races.
Martin is hitting a career worst .246 with an anemic .678 OPS. At the same time, the Red Sox are really in need of a solid defensive presence behind the plate, and the Gold Glover has thrown out 25 of 62 would-be base stealers this season. For his career, Martin has thrown out 32 percent, so he seems to be improving in that category.
Acquiring Martin doesn’t automatically mean the Red Sox would part with Martinez, who has produced excellent offensive numbers in Boston, but it would certainly mean that he’d be shifted to another role with the team, possibly playing first to Kevin Youkilis’s third.
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