I’m on the record, multiple times, as saying Russell Martin is going to be the Yankees’ starting catcher for 2013. Not only do I think that’s going to happen, but I also think it’s the best possible thing for the Yankees. The other catching options aren’t all that appetizing and one of them, David Ross, is already off the market; he signed with the Red Sox last week. Despite my desire for Martin, I think it’s worth while to check out at least one alternative, and that’s A.J. Pierzynski.
He’s been a topic of conversation in the comments of some articles here, and for good reason. Pierzynski just had a career year. He posted a 118 wRC+, his best mark since a 112 mark way back in 2003, his last season with the Twins. Between then and 2012, his wRC+ didn’t go above 93 (2006). He also experienced a power surge, posting a .223 Iso (former career high .163) and slugging 27 homers (former career high 18). The Chicago catcher also checked in with a career high walk rate of 5.4%. He’s reviled by opponents, but has a reputation for being that guy you’d love if he were on the team you rooted for. In a relatively threadbare market for catchers, Pierzynski is certainly an attractive option.
Pierzynski will turn 36 in December and, given that ‘advanced’ age, he is what he is. He’s a relatively high average hitter with limited on-base skills and middling power. For just about anyone, that’d be nothing too special. But as a catcher, that’s pretty good. I’m not sure I believe he can repeat that power performance, but after writing this, I’m more into the idea of Pierzynski than I was at the start. A catcher who can hit for an average at the bottom of the Yankee order really wouldn’t be bad in any way and could help knock in the 6-8 place hitters. Of course, as a mid-30′s catcher, he could fall off a cliff in a heartbeat. Neither one is exactly a devil, but I’m more inclined to go with the one that I know in Russell Martin than I am to go with the one I don’t know in A.J. Pierzynski.
If you enjoyed this article, please consider sharing it!
3 Responses to A.J. the Alternative
Leave a Reply
TIQ IQ
A year of Pierzynski wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world.
I’d rather have one bad year of Pierzykski where the Yanks could chuck him than the Yanks be stuck with Martin for two more years after a bad first year under contract.
The Yanks should offer Martin two years at $10M a year, take it or leave it. The guy doesn’t have a World Series ring yet. Texas will lose Josh Hamilton to free agency and when they do, they can forget about the 2013-14 World Series.
It’s not a year of AJ vs 3 of Martin, it’s multiple years of AJ vs multiple years of Martin. Pierzynski is likely going to get a 2 or 3 year offer from the White Sox and I really find it hard to believe he’d leave there unless blown away by another team. Martin is the better catcher period, which when signing a catcher should be the main priority.
He’s also one of the worst people in baseball. No thanks!