Martin Makes Moves: What’s Next for NYY

Former New York Yankees catcher Russell Martin has reportedly agreed to a two-year, $17 million deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates. For the Pirates, this deal is great, but might be an overpay, as Martin in 2012 hit .211 with 21 homers and posted a measly .311 OBP. He's not exactly an offensive star, but as a backstop, he provides at least some value with his power. However, he strikes out very often (19.6 K% in 2012) and doesn't hit for average. He will earn his salary based on his defense, which has been rated very well and is the main reason Yankees skipper Joe Girardi had so much confidence in him.

In almost any other year, as the Yankees, I would not really miss Martin. But, this year's free agent crop boasts only three legitimate catchers in Martin, White Sox A.J Pierzynski, and Texas Ranger Mike Napoli (who is more of a first-base-catcher hybrid.) Napoli will prove to be too expensive for the Yankees and isn't really what they are looking for anyway, although his much-marred defense is actually underrated. Pierzynski is probably too old at almost 36 for New York to make much of an investment in him even though he is coming off a career year.

Possible 2013 Starting Catcher Austin Romine

This positional scarcity will force the Yankees to take a look at their catchers on the roster. Right now, things look a bit bleak with Chris Stewart, Francisco Cervelli, and Austin Romine leading the, um, resounding charge. Barring a trade, I would take a different approach to this issue than the Yankees probably will. I would hand the job to Romine, who doesn't really have Major League experience, but would, for starters, make the oldest team in the majors much younger. Girardi has been known to prefer backstops with defensive prowess, and Romine's glove and arm have been rated well. His bat is questionable, but Martin spent most of his year at the bottom of the lineup anyway. The chance for Girardi to teach him at a young age (he's 24) also projects Romine to develop into an elite defensive catcher. Sorry to fan favorite Cervelli, but he couldn't even crack the Major League roster last season, and Stewart, the typical backup catcher, does not hit enough to merit a starting job. Therefore, allowing Romine to play, and possibly have a surprising year, is probably the best in-house option. There are a bunch of trades the team could make, however, to shore up the now vacant starting catcher job. Trades are ranked based on most feasible to most unlikely.

Trade 1: RHP's Ivan Nova/Phil Hughes to Toronto for C J.P Arencibia

Yankees RHP Ivan Nova

This trade seems almost obvious: Either of these pitchers would be in Toronto's starting rotation at the fifth spot over current projected placeholder J.A Happ. Toronto will also need rotation insurance; newly acquired Josh Johnson spends time on the DL just about every year. Brandon Morrow is also a yearly injury concern. Mark Buerhle will probably provide 200 innings but his age and decline has made his performance unpredictable. Ricky Romero has the potential to be an ace, but his sharp decline last year also makes him a question mark in 2013. The Yankees have somewhat of a surplus of starting pitching, but Hughes is going into his walk year and Nova certainly wins games, though often has some ugly performances. Neither of these guys are strong bets to become aces, but they can certainly win some games in the AL East, an often-overlooked feat for these relative youngsters.

Trade 2: RHP David Phelps to Seattle for C John Jaso

Mariners trade candidate John Jaso

Jaso, a former Ray, would seemingly be out of a job if the Mariners come through with their rumored interest in Mike Napoli and sign the backstop/first baseman. Napoli would be a great fit in Seattle, and they already have former Yankee backstop/DH Jesus Montero. Jaso, though, only had 294 AB's in 2012 and produced the eighth-best WAR among catchers at 3.3 with an .850 OPS. He also bats left-handed and could easily take advantage of the short porch at Yankee stadium. The Mariners certainly do not need starting pitching, as most of their top prospects are hurlers, and they have catching prospect and former Florida Gator Mike Zunino to pair with Montero. However, Phelps represents a major-league ready contributor and can step in either in the rotation or in the bullpen and be reasonably effective, especially at Safeco Field. This team needs young offense, but the Yankees do not have much in the form of major-league ready hitters to offer. Overall, this could be a win for both teams, with the Mariners gaining a contributor for 2013 and casting off an extraneous catcher and the Yankees receiving a starter.

Trade 3: Nova/Hughes to Boston for C Jarrod Saltalamacchia

Saltalamacchia

The feasibility of this trade depends on the Yankees' willingness to make a deal with their rival Red Sox. If these two teams can actually start talking about a deal, though, this trade makes some sense. The Sox are rumored to be willing to trade a catcher, as they have two possible starters in Saltalamacchia and Ryan Lavarnaway. David Ross also already fills the backup position. Lavarnaway is essentially on par with Romine, so the Yankees probably would not want to deal for him. However, Saltalamacchia represents an interesting, power-driven offensive option, but does not bring much to the table in the form of getting on base or hitting for average. Another obstacle to this deal might be Girardi's preference for a defense-minded catcher, which Saltalamacchia is not. Nova, though, would be a good fit in Boston and would start in their rotation right away. He represents a young, relatively cheap pitching option for a team with rotation uncertainty and the desire to rebuild.

Crazy Trade Scenario: C Gary Sanchez to Minnesota for C Joe Mauer

Could Mauer be wearing pinstripes one day?

This trade isn't happening because the Twins probably won't give up Mauer, but they might for one of the best catching prospects in the game right now. Don't forget that Hal Steinbrenner has ordered the Yankees' payroll to be under $189 million by 2014 for tax purposes, and paying Mauer $23 million over the next six years would really stop them from reaching that goal. But wouldn't it be great if Hal suddenly had an attack of the late George Steinbrenner and made a classic Yankee blockbuster deal? Minnesota isn't exactly making the headlines with their performance in the next few years, but they would still be reluctant to depart with their hometown kid and face of the franchise. Wouldn't it be great, though, if they could deal Mauer, press the destruct button, and start over? Sanchez, probably the Yankees' best prospect, would be a great pairing with 2012 first-round Minnesota draft pick OF Byron Buxton in the low levels of the minors, and would represent a bright future for the Twins. Going out and getting Mauer would also take him away as an option for the Red Sox, who are rumored to have a strong interest in acquiring the longtime Twin.

Most likely, the Yankees will make a trade for a starting catcher at least in 2013. I don’t see them sticking with their in-house options, and the trade market will be relatively flush with catchers because the free agent market was so shallow. Keep your eyes open for a Yankee trade in the coming months.