We take a break from your regularly scheduled arbitration news to bring you a breaking trade. It seems like Russell Martin is headed back to the team that drafted him:
BREAKING: Per MLB sources, the Blue Jays are trading Russell Martin to the LA Dodgers.
— Arash Madani (@ArashMadani) January 11, 2019
More to come...
#Dodgers getting cash to cover significant portion of Martin’s $20M salary in 2019 and parting with two minor leaguers. https://t.co/meG6Ay6ORF
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) January 11, 2019
The Jays are receiving two minor leaguers in exchange:
OFFICIAL: We've acquired SS Ronny Brito and RHP Andrew Sopko from the @Dodgers in exchange for C Russell Martin and cash considerations. pic.twitter.com/KWr73sraR5
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) January 11, 2019
Eric Longenhagen (of Fangraphs) has further details on the newest members of the organization:
Andrew Sopko I have as a pitchability 6th/7th starter. 88-92, slurvy breaker with average depth, change also average. Good teams need guys like that during the course of a season, but several 45s and 50s probably don't stick in a rotation, long-term.
— Eric Longenhagen (@longenhagen) January 11, 2019
After Yasmani Grandal signed with the Brewers, Russell Martin became the next best catcher available after JT Realmuto. The Dodgers, one of the teams Matt W identified in his piece on Russell Martin, were in need of an upgrade. They were in talks with the Marlins about Realmuto, but the asking price is reported to be high. This gives the Dodgers some more depth should they come up empty handed with Miami.
Martin made his MLB debut with the Dodgers and played for their major league team from 2006-2010.
Martin’s batting average and slugging percentage declined last season, but he still has a solid on base percentage and is very strong in framing and other defensive skills not measured by traditional stats. He was a huge part of the Blue Jays’ success during their playoff runs in 2015 and 2016.
Russell Martin's five-year $82 million deal should be considered a success in my view.
— Ben Nicholson-Smith (@bnicholsonsmith) January 11, 2019
Martin was instrumental in helping #BlueJays reach the ALCS in 2015 and 2016. Generated 7.6 WAR over four years in Toronto, and also helped shift club's culture in 2015.
This also clears a spot on the 40-man roster for Phelps.
UPDATE: The amount of cash included in the deal is $16.4M
#BlueJays are sending $16.4 million to Dodgers in Martin deal per Ross Atkins
— Ben Nicholson-Smith (@bnicholsonsmith) January 11, 2019