Chicago Cubs Rumors: Team To Make Run at C Russell Martin
By Justin Broyles
@Tweets_ByJ
Getty Images
The Chicago Cubs are going through a transformation this offseason. They ended the 2014 season with a youth movement, featuring many of their top prospects making the leap to the majors. The Cubs also fired incumbent manager Rick Renteria and hired one of the best managers in the game in Joe Maddon. And with all of this change going on, would the Cubs also consider changing catchers by pursuing Russell Martin?
It is pretty obvious why any team would want Martin as their starting catcher. He has spent the last two seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates, providing immense value in those two years. Martin came to the Pirates and provided some of the best defense at his position, being named a finalist for the Gold Glove award both of his seasons. Martin also provided nice work at the plate, drawing a very high on-base percentage and providing some pop in the middle of the Pirates’ lineup. But the most important thing Martin provided the Pirates was some amazing leadership in the clubhouse that helped shape the young Pirates team.
While these are some very good reasons to sign Martin, catcher is not a big need for the Cubs. They already have a good catcher on their team in Welington Castillo. While Castillo is no Martin behind the plate, he is still an everyday catcher for a major league team. He consistently provides solid at-bats for the Cubs and has similar offensive numbers to Martin. The only thing Martin is an upgrade in for the Cubs is defensively, and that isn’t even that much of an upgrade. Martin could also provide leadership on a young Cubs team that is similar to the Pirates teams of the last two years.
Looking at this rumor, it is hard to tell if it’s serious. Martin would be a great addition for the Cubs and would downgrade the division rival Pirates. But there really isn’t a need to spend a ton of money on Martin with a player like Castillo already in place. Regardless of whether this rumor is true or not, it should add to an already exciting offseason for the Cubs.
Justin Broyles is a Pirates writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on twitter @Tweets_ByJ, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.
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