Russell Martin, New York Yankees Table Contract Discussions

According to Andrew Marchand of ESPNNewYork.com, the New York Yankees and catcher Russell Martin have decided to table contract talks until the offseason.  Martin received a three-year offer from the Yankees, but the backstop is holding out for a better deal and is willing to wait until after the 2012 season to restart negotiations.

According to Martin’s agent, Matt Colleran, the Yankees had a three-year offer on the table.  This offer was reportedly worth a total of $20 million, but instead of a long-term agreement, a one-year, $7.5 million deal was eventually reached.

Marchand said the Yankees and Martin remain too far apart at this point and have decided to table talks of an extension until the offseason.  New York has made their evaluation of Martin clear with their initial three-year offer, while the 29-year-old and his agent are seeking a contract in the range of $8-10 million per season.

With free agency pending, Martin will have greater leverage if he is able to turn in a solid 2012 season.  The three-time All-Star has said that he’d like to remain in New York long-term, and both sides told Marchand that negotiations have been amiable to this point.

Last season for the Yankees, Martin hit at a clip of .237/.324/.408 with 18 home runs and 17 doubles over his 476 plate appearances.  While his slugging percentage was slightly above his career average, Martin will look to raise his batting average and on base percentage closer to his previous norms (.267/.359) this season.

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