Russell Martin rumors: Rangers, Mariners, Pirates interested

Still negotiating a new deal with the New York Yankees, free-agent catcher Russell Martin is also garnering interest from at least three other clubs, sources have told Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports:

While the New York Yankees remain the favorites to sign Russell Martin, they are not the only team pursuing him.

The free-agent catcher also is drawing significant interest from the Texas Rangers, Seattle Mariners and Pittsburgh Pirates, according to major-league sources.

Rosenthal posits that the Rangers could pose the biggest threat to the Yankees by offering Martin the multi-year deal he wants at a higher price than New York is willing to go. While the Yankees have the $189 million luxury tax threshold to worry about, the Rangers are free to spend an extra few million to net a catcher.

Martin regained his power stroke in his two years in the Bronx, so could fare very well at the Rangers’ bandbox in Arlington.

The Mariners are an odd suitor for Martin, as the club appears pretty set at catcher with Jesus Montero, John Jaso and Mike Zunino on the roster. The Pirates, on the other hand, could use the veteran Martin at backstop along with relative newcomer Michael McKenry.