Report: Blue Jays have discussed trading catcher Russell Martin

Tim and Sid react to reports that the Toronto Blue Jays could be shopping Russell Martin this offseason.

There appears to be no guarantee Russell Martin will play the final year of his contract as a member of the Toronto Blue Jays.

According to a report from MLB insider Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports, the team has discussed trading Martin and that the veteran catcher is drawing interest from multiple teams. Passan also reported the Pittsburgh Pirates are open to moving catcher Francisco Cervelli.

Martin has one year and $20 million remaining on the five-year, $82-million deal he signed with the Blue Jays as a free agent in 2015 and Passan reports the Blue Jays “are willing to pay down a significant amount of that.”

Taking care of a portion of Martin’s owed salary could ensure the Blue Jays get more back in return for Martin, who’s coming off a down 2018 season, slashing a career-worst .194/.338/.325 and hitting just 10 home runs for his lowest total since 2010.

Luke Maile, 27, was Martin’s primary backup behind the plate in 2018 with 23-year-old Danny Jansen also getting into some games.

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