File :-(, x, )
Anonymous
Russell Martin is currently the best catcher in the majors today. How many gold gloves will he win, and how many all star games will he start?
Also, will he eventually be a better catcher than Mike Piazza? Johnny Bench? Yogi Berra?

In before Cards fans being all fucking crazy for Yadier Molina.
>> Anonymous
>>184701
Ray Emery?
>> Anonymous
One of the best, by far THE BEST, Canuck Catcher in the Major Leagues! w00t!
>> Anonymous
     File :-(, x)
Fuck yeah Gerald Laird!
>> Anonymous
I would take a healthy Victor Martinez, any sane person would.
>>184715
French Canadian.
>> Cleveland Fag !!Orl1PSmX/ea
>>184804

Yes.
>> Anonymous
Victor Victor Martinez #41 C
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=6853

Russell Martin #55 C
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=7628

You're kidding me right? Russell Martin has a higher batting average, has more RBIs, has more homers (7 to Victor Martinez 0), has a higher .OPS, and a higher slugging percentage. And Russell Martin has just won his first gold glove . And Handles a pitching staff well, and is only in his 2nd year. Victor Martinez is in his sixth year, and is already going to be a FA. The Dodgers control Russell Martin for the next four years, Martin is the more valuable player by far.
>> Anonymous
     File :-(, x)
youre both faggots
>> Anonymous
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/photo?playerId=6428

Geovany Soto #18 C

His Numbers are decent, but he's no Rusell Martin.
>> Anonymous
inb4Dodgerstradehim
>> Anonymous
>>184863

THE DODGERS AREN'T GOING TO TRADE HIM. SHUT UP. ;_;
>> Feraligatr !VJOf9vVc0E
>>184839
>>184839
>>184839
>>184839
This.
>> samefag
     File :-(, x)
What about me?
>> Cleveland Fag !!Orl1PSmX/ea
>>184821

Protip - Vmart has been hurt all fucking year, between his hamstring and his gimp shoulder. HMMM, COULD A GIMP SHOULDER AFFECT HITTING? I DUNNO.

Way to make yourself look like a dumbass. Look at last years numbers. Look at next years numbers. Vmart will always be superior to Martin. McCann will be better than Martin. Saltmahwhatever will be better than Martin.
>> Cleveland Fag !!Orl1PSmX/ea
>>184821

I seriously hope you're a troll because this is the hardest /sp/ has ever made me rage.
>> Anonymous
I have to disagree. Joe Mauer is the best catcher in baseball today.
>> Cleveland Fag !!Orl1PSmX/ea
>>184821

Also, Vmart is signed through the 2010 season with a club option for 2011.

FA my ass.
>> Anonymous
This is why /sp/ loves Cleveland Fag.

Unmeasurable rage from being a Cleveland Fag for so many years.
>> Alakazam !!OEP6m59Bksc
The thing is, Victor shouldn't even be a catcher, he should be 1B/DH but Shapiro is a fucking idiot and signed Hafner to a long term contract. For fuck's sake, CC Sabathia is a better hitter than Hafner.
>> Anonymous
>>185039

Victor Martinez also plays for a team with a better team offense. If Russell Martin was an offense like Indians had last year, he'd have 120 RBIs, etc. If Victor Martinez was on the Dodgers, he'd have 80 RBIs at best.
>> Cleveland Fag !!Orl1PSmX/ea
>>185056

I agree with this, except I don't think Vmart should be shipped over to 1B all of a sudden. He has really worked on his arm and is a helluva good gunner now. His knees WILL give out though, but he still has a few prime years of catcher left.

I fucking hate Hafner. I fucking hate Sabathia. I want to see them both traded to the NL West for some sweet, sweet, prospects so I never have to hear their fucking names again.
>> Anonymous
>>185057

It's more than RBI.
>> Cleveland Fag !!Orl1PSmX/ea
>>185057

Ok, cross out RBI. Vmart still has he beat in practically all power hitting areas (including .OPS) Higher VORP, too, unless I fucked up the math.
>> Alakazam !!OEP6m59Bksc
>>185058

I hate Hafner too, kinda iffy on Sabathia though. Fine with keeping him, wouldn't be upset if he left.
>> Cleveland Fag !!Orl1PSmX/ea
>>185067

(Assuming he resigns) Overpaid
Health Risk
Can't pitch under pressure

I'll take my chances with fucking Adam Miller. Fausto has higher potential than Fatassia anyway.
>> Anonymous
>>185067

the only people that like hafner are the other teams in the american league
>> Anonymous
>>185064

VORP VORP VORP OH HE BUSTED OUT VORP
>> Anonymous
>>185064

Russell Martin is the better fielder and Defensive catcher, and the younger player by 3 years. While we can't compare a 26 year old Russell Martin to a 26 year old Victor Martinez, I can say with confidence that Russell Martin hasn't reached the peak of his offensive capabilities. Martin hit 19 homers in 2007, by the time he's in his prime, he should be reaching Martinez numbers and maybe even pass him. Also, Martin had 21 steals, so he's a fast fucker. Martinez would sooner choke on a donut before stealing a base.
>> Alakazam !!OEP6m59Bksc
>>185069

That's true, and we definitely have the prospects to replace him, but I love the idea of a pitcher who can actually hit if we ever make the World Series.

The real problem with the Indians right now is the offense.
>> HKK !Li1UpTuBEs
Best Hitting Catcher: Brian McCann
Best Fielding Catcher: Yadier Molina
Best Overall Catcher: Joe Mauer
>> Anonymous
Veritek is the best at calling games. But not much else.
>> Anonymous
if you're only talking this season, soto is definitely at the top. he will be the all-star starting catcher and quite possibly rookie of the year.
>> Anonymous
Russell Martin may be good but that kid from FSU that the Orioles drafted is going to be a hell of a fucking player
>> Anonymous
>>185083

Sure, he can hit. Too bad he can't pitch under those big lights.
>> Cleveland Fag !!Orl1PSmX/ea
>>185397

Ooops, forgot my fail.
>> Anonymous
>>185398

fuck off namefag
>> Cleveland Fag !!Orl1PSmX/ea
>>185400

>namefag

wat
>> Anonymous
Russel Martin will be great for another 2-3 years, then fall off the face of the earth. He plays way to much for a catcher. His knees are going to blow out, and hes not a good enough hitter to head to 3rd or 1st.
Shame really, becuase he could be good for a long time, but the dodgers seem to think he can catch every game and not have side effects.
>> Anonymous
Mauer's a good small ball player, better batting and OBP. McCann's better suited for a team like the Braves.

It depends on the situation. I like that my Cubs have Soto behind the plate, but if they had to trade for someone else, I'd want Martin.
>> Anonymous
pudge?
>> Anonymous
>>185696

Maybe 10 years ago.
>> Anonymous
I would say that Russel Martin and Victor Martinez are about even. I don't think you can argue that Victor is superior offensively, but Russel is superior with a pitching staff and behind the plate. If I had to pick one, I would pick Martinez, but they are both the best catchers in their respective leagues and excellent players.
>> Anonymous
>>185042

Joe Mauer is just proof that picking a catcher high in the draft is a waste
>> Feraligatr !VJOf9vVc0E
>>185720
While I agree that picking a catcher high is moronic, Joe Mauer is fucking awesome and would be an upgrade at catcher in almost every city.
>> BravesFag62 !!gNy6YVXV64J
>>184887
in after /thread
>> Anonymous
>>185742

Except he's going to be moved to DH/1B after a couple of years.
>> Feraligatr !VJOf9vVc0E
     File :-(, x)
>>185744
Still going with this guy.

>>185755
That's a good thing for a catcher who focuses on his offense, though.
>> Anonymous
>>185758

YOU MEAN VICTOR MARTINEZ?
>> Anonymous
>>184701
>In before Cards fans being all fucking crazy for Yadier Molina.
Damn. But you do have to admit hes a wonderful defensive catcher, the man had a concussion and still held the damn ball.
>> Anonymous
Yadi Yadi Yadi Yadi Yadi Yadi Yadi Yadi Yadi Yadi Yadi Yadi Yadi Yadi Yadi Yadi Yadi Yadi Yadi Yadi Yadi Yadi Yadi Yadi Yadi Yadi Yadi Yadi Yadi Yadi Yadi Yadi Yadi Yadi Yadi Yadi Yadi Yadi Yadi Yadi Yadi Yadi Yadi Yadi Yadi Yadi Yadi Yadi Yadi Yadi Yadi Yadi Yadi Yadi Yadi Yadi Yadi Yadi Yadi Yadi Yadi Yadi Yadi Yadi Yadi Yadi Yadi Yadi Yadi Yadi Yadi Yadi Yadi Yadi Yadi Yadi Yadi Yadi Yadi Yadi Yadi Yadi Yadi Yadi Yadi Yadi Yadi Yadi Yadi Yadi

Russell Martin is good, but his Gold Gloves were the product of LA media bias. As for 'wet behind the ears' Soto, call me in a few years, Cub-fags.
>> Anonymous
>>185831

CRAZY MUTHAFUCKER.
>> Anonymous
>>185673
>Russel Martin will be great for another 2-3 years, then fall off the face of the earth. He plays way to much for a catcher.

Truth.

>His knees are going to blow out, and hes not a good enough hitter to head to 3rd or 1st.

wat

I agree on no move to first, but 3rd? Really? For one, he can field 3rd base fairly well (he began at 3rd in the minors). Additionally, name 10 or 11 3b that hit better than Martin's current line of .315/.412/.451/.863 - his OPS would rank 5th out of all qualifying 3B, just behind Joe Crede's .869. He's got easy 20/20 ability for HR/SB, and he's 25, which means his peak years are most likely still 2-3 seasons away.

tl;dr - Martin would be one of the best 3B TODAY, much less in the future.
>> Anonymous
Russell Martin could cure cancer.