Russell Martin, Teammates Talk Potential Of Return In 2015
PITTSBURGH (93-7 The FAN) - Looking back at it, the 2-year, $17 million contract the Pirates signed Russell Martin to back in 2013 was an absolute steal.
You can expect that this offseason, it will take much more than that to retain one of the most important pieces of this team.
After Wednesday night's 8-0 Wild Card loss to the San Francisco Giants, Martin, along with several of his teammates talked with reporters about his future with the organization and what he has meant to this team.
"They got to sign him," starter Edinson Volquez said about his battery mate. "He was one of the biggest things for the whole team. He's got great leadership in the clubhouse and the game."
Volquez wasn't the only one to sing the praises of the Pirates' catcher after the loss.
"Russ is the heartbeat of the team," starter Gerrit Cole said. "He controls the pitching staff. He really is the leader on all sides of the baseball, defensively, offensively. He's on the same page with everybody obviously on the staff."
Closer Mark Melancon joked that the players will do everything they can to keep Martin here.
"We're just going to hold him down here and not let him leave Pittsburgh," he said.
In the end though, the decision will be up to Martin on whether or not he wants to stay in Pittsburgh or see what riches the free agent market can bring him. But, immediately following the team's loss, the catcher said his mind wasn't on the future
"At this point, I'm not even thinking about anything like that," Martin said. "I'm just wishing a happy offseason to all the guys in here."
Martin was willing to discuss what it has been like for him playing with the Pirates as opposed to the other organizations he's been a part of throughout his career.
"I've had more fun playing baseball here than I have my whole career. I'm definitely going to keep that in mind when decision time comes," Martin said.
The fans certainly did their part to let Martin know how much they care about him and want him back with their ovation during his final at-bat against the Giants. Fans chanted his name and expressed that they wanted him back next year.
Those cheers were heard and after the game, Martin talked about how much he appreciated the gesture.
"When they were chanting my name there, that was pretty special," Martin said. "To get that type of reaction from a crowd, especially when you're losing a big game, that was definitely one of the coolest moments I think I've had in baseball."
Click the audio link below to hear more from Martin on his future with the team and what his time with the Pirates has meant to him.
Russell Martin
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