In the biggest free-agent deal in franchise history the Toronto Blue Jays agreed to terms with Canadian catcher Russell Martin on a five-year deal worth $82 million. Here’s how the baseball world reacted to the move:
Welcome @russellmartin55 to THE @BlueJays! #TORONTO
— Marcus Stroman (@STR0) November 17, 2014
Five years and $82-million for a guy coming off a career year at age 31 is so un-Blue Jay. Still processing this Russell Martin thing.
— Michael Grange (@michaelgrange) November 17, 2014
#Bluejays see Martin as total package: OBP on O, pitch frame/game-calling/throwing on D Good clubhouse. Think he’s athlete who will age well
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) November 17, 2014
Russell Martin is a great Habs fan. Under the circumstances, I believe the good people of Toronto will respect him for that.
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) November 17, 2014
#BlueJays view Martin as great athlete who will age well. He will be 36 in last year of his deal.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) November 17, 2014
Blue Jays a few years ago had catching prospect surplus. Travis d'Arnaud, AJ Jimenez, Carlos Perez, Yan Gomes. Now they sign Russell Martin.
— Ben Badler (@BenBadler) November 17, 2014
I don't believe either Martin or Navarro have any experience catching the knuckleball, so Thole may stay. Or Dickey may go. #Bluejays #Jays
— Mike Wilner (@Wilnerness) November 17, 2014
5 years is a long time, but this sure seems to signal they are not going to dump salaries and rebuild. #jays #bluejays
— Dan Shulman (@DShulman_ESPN) November 17, 2014
Russell Martin gets $82 million over 5 years from your #bluejays that is beyond comprehension for a mere mortal like me
— Adnan Virk (@adnansvirk) November 17, 2014
The #bluejays may become first team in #mlb history with GM (AA) and Catcher (RM) that speak French. Even #expos never had that.
— Richard Griffin (@RGriffBaseball) November 17, 2014
Blue Jays ranked 22nd in OPS in 2014.
Russell Martin's .832 OPS ranked 4th-best among those whose primary position was catcher
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) November 17, 2014
Just called Russ Martin. Went straight to voicemail 'en francais'
— Jamie Campbell (@SNETCampbell) November 17, 2014
