The market for available catchers this offseason could be even more saturated.
In addition to all the available free agents, Yahoo’s Jeff Passan reports that the Toronto Blue Jays are willing to trade Russell Martin, and the Pittsburgh Pirates are open to dealing Francisco Cervelli.
Martin has one year at $20M left on his deal. The Blue Jays are willing to pay down a significant amount of that, per sources. Cervelli is likewise in the final year of his contract, at $11.5M. Teams love his OBP and makeup, and Pirates have Elias Díaz to play every day.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) November 29, 2018
Martin, who turns 36 in February, was brutal last season. He batted just .194 in 94 games. He at least walked his usual amount though, boosting his on-base percentage to a respectable .338. He is owed $20 million next season and has steadily declined in each year since signing a five-year, $82 million deal with the Jays.
Cervelli, who turns 32 in March, is owed $11.5 million next season. He is coming off a strong season for the Pirates. He batted .259 with an .809 OPS. His 12 homers and 57 RBIs were the best marks of his career.
Brian McCann, Kurt Suzuki and Jeff Mathis have already signed this offseason. Other catchers on the market include Yasmani Grandal, Wilson Ramos, Martin Maldonado, Robinson Chirinos, Evan Gattis, Matt Wieters, Devin Mesoraco and Jonathan Lucroy, so there will be plenty of options if you include Martin and Cervelli in the mix.
