NEW YORK, NY - MAY 19: Russell Martin #55 of the New York Yankees reacts after striking out looking in the ninth inning as Devin Mesoraco #39 of the Cincinnati Reds looks on at Yankee Stadium on May 19, 2012 in the Bronx borough of New York City. Reds defeated the Yankees 6-5. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
Martin Gets Vote of Confidence from GM Cashman
The New York Yankees have no plans of acquiring a catcher this summer despite Russell Martin’s first-half struggles, reports Mark Carig of The Star-Ledger:
Despite starting catcher Russell Martin’s horrendous first half, general manager Brian Cashman said today that he has no plans of wading into the trade market for catching help.
"We have our catching," Cashman said. "I believe in Russell Martin, period."
Catcher has been by far the Yankees least productive position this season, and Martin has been the starting backstop for 60 of the club’s 85 games.
On the year, Martin has only hit at a clip of .179/.300/.348 with 11 doubles, eight home runs and 21 RBIs. This is well below Martin’s career line (.261/.355/.395) and signifies a drop-off from his 2011level of production (.237/.324/.408).
Martin owns superior career numbers versus left-handed pitching, and the same has been true this season. His 2012 OPS against southpaws has been .932 compared to his .555 OPS versus right-handers.
Still, it doesn’t appear the Yankees are considering bringing in another catcher to platoon with Martin. Cashman believes Martin is capable of turning things around during the second half of the season. The 29-year-old did show signs of life in June before enduring a 1-31 stretch which carried into the All-Star break.
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