Catching a break: It’s 1960 all over again as the Pirates beat the Yankees

Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports was the first to report that the Pirates reached a two-year, $17 million deal with free-agent catcher Russell Martin on a contract. Martin earned $7.5 million last season when he hit .211 with a .713 OPS, 21 home runs and 53 RBI which was still better than the Pirates 2012 catcher Rod Barajas, who hit .206 with 11 homers and threw out six-of-99 potential base stealers.

The Yankees wanted to re-sign Martin, who threw out 20-of-83 base stealers (25%), but either did not want to pay the same money as Pittsburgh or consider Martin too young (he turns 30 in February) since the Yanks have focussed on re-signing Andy Pettitte and Mariano Rivera.

”I want to thank the (at)yankees organization and fans for treating me with class and respect… I will truly miss the city and people of NY,” Martin posted on his Twitter account late Thursday.

Chris Stewart, Francisco Cervelli and prospect Austin Romine are the Yankees’ remaining catchers. Mike Napoli and A.J. Pierzynski are the top available free agents.

Last season, MLB catchers averaged .248

Here are the caught stealing records of catchers who appeared in 100+ games in 2012

	Tm	G	SB	CS	CS% ▾
Ryan Hanigan	CIN	110	34	32	48%
Yadier Molina	STL	136	38	35	48%
Miguel Montero	ARI	139	44	32	42%
Matt Wieters	BAL	134	51	32	39%
Carlos Ruiz	PHI	106	64	33	34%
A.J. Ellis	LAD	131	74	36	33%
Jose Molina	TBR	102	39	19	33%
Wilin Rosario	COL	105	64	30	32%
Alex Avila	DET	113	79	34	30%
Buster Posey	SFG	114	87	38	30%
Kurt Suzuki	TOT	117	65	28	30%
John Buck	MIA	105	48	18	27%
A.J. Pierzynski	CHW	126	76	27	26%
Carlos Santana	CLE	100	70	25	26%
Russell Martin	NYY	128	63	20	24%
Brian McCann	ATL	114	76	24	24%
Josh Thole	NYM	100	57	17	23%
Jarrod Saltalamacchia	BOS	104	80	18	18%

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 11/30/2012.

Over the last five seasons, Martin has been one of the most durable catchers.

Here are the most games for catchers 2007-2012

	Tm	G	SB	CS	CS% ▾
1	Brian McCann	814
2	Russell Martin	804
3	A.J. Pierzynski	800
4	Yadier Molina	788
5	Kurt Suzuki	746
6	Carlos Ruiz	706
7	Miguel Olivo	649
8	Miguel Montero	648
9	John Buck	645

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Play Index Tool Used
Generated 11/30/2012.

Tagged as: Ken Rosenthal, Russell Martin