TORONTO – The Toronto Blue Jays confirmed the signing of Canadian catcher Russell Martin on Tuesday.
The official announcement came a day after several media outlets reported that the two sides agreed on a US$82-million, five-year deal.
Martin hit .290 with the Pittsburgh Pirates last season with 11 home runs and 67 runs batted in. The three-time all-star has a career .259 average with 119 home runs and 540 RBIs in nine seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees and Pirates.
The 31-year-old Martin, who was born in Toronto and grew up in Chelsea, Que., gets $7 million next year, $15 million in 2016 and $20 million in each of the final three seasons. Toronto announced the deal a day after Martin took a physical.
Martin turned down a $15.3-million qualifying offer from the Pirates last Monday after completing his $17 million, two-year deal. By signing Martin, Toronto forfeits its first-round pick (17th) in next June’s draft. Pittsburgh will receive a compensatory pick between the first and second rounds.
Toronto will receive a compensatory pick if outfielder Melky Cabrera, who also turned down a qualifying offer, signs elsewhere.
Martin’s contract is the biggest one handed out by Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos has handed out since taking over from J.P. Ricciardi in October 2009. It’s the second-biggest contract ever for the Blue Jays, trailing only the $126-million, seven-year deal given to outfielder Vernon Wells following the 2006 season.
At the end of this season, Anthopoulos acknowledged that the Blue Jays have a club policy that limits free-agent contracts to a maximum of five years.
Martin becomes the 21st Canadian player in Blue Jays history and the third on the active roster in addition to infielder Brett Lawrie of Langley, B.C., and outfielder Dalton Pompey of Mississauga, Ont.
Catcher Dioner Navarro was Toronto’s lone free-agent acquisition last off-season, signing a $8-million, two-year deal. Navarro is owed $5 million for 2015.
The Blue Jays also have Josh Thole, whose primary role is catching R.A. Dickey’s knuckleball.
Martin’s deal provides a vote of confidence in a player who only played 111 games last season and hasn’t been an all-star since 2011.
The Blue Jays are planning to introduce him at a news conference later this week, but timing hasn’t been finalized.
Martin’s contract is similar to the one Brain McCann signed with the New York Yankees last off-season. But McCann was about two years younger when he agreed to an $85-million, five-year deal.
Martin reached the major leagues with the Dodgers in 2006 and spent five years with Los Angeles before signing with the New York Yankees in 2011.
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With files from The Associated Press.
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