C/1B/3B

by Jevant on Nov 10, 2010 8:40 AM EST

A random thought I had the other day:

Rumour has it that the Los Angeles Dodgers are just about done with Russell Martin and want to move in a different direction. If so, he would be a very nice option to pair with J.P. Arencibia. Martin also has been playing a little bit of 3B recently with the Dodgers, so he could not only be the primary C but a backup for 3B as well.

The other thing that I would like to do is pick up Nick Swisher from the New York Yankees, on the assumption they land one of the premier OF and are thinking about moving him (his OBP would be a very nice addition to the Jays lineup). Perhaps one way to do that would be to work some sort of sign-and-trade with the Yankees involving Scott Downs (presumably one of their top targets), where we resigned Downs to a contract the Yankees (and Downs obviously) wanted, and then flip him for Swisher.

This would give us the following options when filling out the lineup:

C: Martin, Arencibia, Molina

1B: Swisher, Adam Lind, Arencibia, Martin

3B: Edwin Encarnacion, Jose Bautista, Martin

DH: Lind

I like Swisher's OBP and versatility, and Martin's somewhat unrealized potential (we also might see some of the power come back with a move out of Los Angeles.

Thoughts?

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Swisher would be fun

Swisher was probably the second best hitter on the Yankees last year and he’s signed affordably for the next few years so I’d think you’d have to do better then a sign and trade of Downs. It would probably cost us at least one our best prospects like Stewart and maybe your trade idea of Downs, though I am not convinced the Yankees would want to give up one of their best guys in order to avoid giving up a second round pick ‘if’ they want Downs. (They will be giving up their first rounder to the Rangers.) So to get Swisher your really going to be paying a premium for a guy who just got a WS ring comming off one the best years of his career.

I’d love to get Martin, but is he recovered enough from his injury ? Also, there’s a good chance he’s going to get DFA’d at the end of the month anyways so i’d want to wait and see before planning any trade for him.

by Brando159 on Nov 10, 2010 9:59 AM EST reply actions

Swisher is signed through 2011

with a $10.25 mil team option in 2012 that I could easily see the Yankees picking up. He also has a limited no-trade clause with 6 teams he can block. Not sure who they are, though.

I wouldn’t give up much of value for Martin, personally.

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on Nov 10, 2010 10:12 AM EST up reply actions

Interesting ideas

but I’m not sold on Russell Martin health-wise. You’re talking about a catcher who was ridden into the ground by Torre and hasn’t been the same player since. He is an inferior hitter to John Buck and has many injury questions to boot. The unrealized potential you’re talking about was realized for 1-2 years and is non-existent anymore mainly due to injuries. He’s going to be non-tendered for a reason, in other words, and I’d feel more comfortable bringing in someone with a better chance to stay healthy. I also don’t see him as someone who will want to split time with JP and Jose, based mainly on his age and the fact he’s always been an unquestioned starter.

by brewerm on Nov 10, 2010 1:05 PM EST reply actions

he is only inferior to buck in terms of power

his contact rate and plate discipline is a LOT better than Buck, and that’s more important for the Jays imo

To Infinity. And BEYOND!!!

by YunelTheLazyLatino on Nov 11, 2010 3:13 PM EST up reply actions

that's true

but his power has been non-existent the past couple years. that big of a gap makes Russell an inferior hitter. that said, the injuries are a risk and JPA should really be given a shot anyway

by benk on Nov 11, 2010 4:13 PM EST up reply actions

I don't see Martin as a huge improvement over JPA

at least not when relative contracts are factored in. Both will probably hit for slightly below average BA, with average OBA, and around league average defense. JPA gets the nod in the power and potential and health department.

I wouldn’t mind Martin as a backup, at a backup’s salary. As a starter, there’s not alot of benefit to stunting JPA’s growth.

by Sivvi on Nov 16, 2010 5:59 PM EST reply actions