Dodgers acquire Russell Martin
The Dodgers made a move to address their catcher position Friday, acquiring Russell Martin and cash considerations from the Blue Jays.
The former Dodger returns in exchange for minor league right-handed pitcher Andrew Sopko and minor league infielder Ronny Brito. Martin began his Major League career with the Dodgers in 2006 and spent five seasons with the club.
Martin was originally selected by the Dodgers in the 17th round in 2002. He would go on to post All-Star seasons with the Dodgers in 2007 and 2008. Martin also was an All-Star for the Yankees in 2011 and the Blue Jays in 2015.
The catcher has spent the past four seasons in Toronto. Last year, he hit .194/.338/.325 with 10 home runs, starting 71 games behind the plate as well as 16 games at third base. He also recorded starts at shortstop and in left field. The 35-year-old has hit double-digit home runs in eight straight seasons.
The 2019 season will be Martin’s 14th in the Major Leagues. For his career, he holds a .249/.349/.399 slash line with 185 home runs and 751 RBI with the Dodgers (2006–10), Yankees (2011–12), Pirates (2013–14) and Blue Jays (2015–18). His teams have made the postseason nine times in 13 years. His 1,519 games behind the plate (1,455 starts) rank third among active players, trailing only Yadier Molina (1,836) and Brian McCann (1,529). He won both the Silver Slugger and Gold Glove awards in 2007.
Sopko, 24, was selected by the Dodgers in the seventh round of the 2015 MLB Draft from Gonzaga and has a career 27–17 minor league record with a 3.61 ERA. Sopko spent last season between Single-A Rancho Cucamonga and Double-A Tulsa, combining for a 3.52 ERA and 1.29 WHIP with 121 strikeouts in 117 2/3 innings.
Brito, 19, signed with the Dodgers as an international free agent from the Dominican Republic on July 2, 2015. In three minor league seasons, he’s hitting .259/.339/.418 with 15 homers and 104 RBI.
The Dodgers currently have 39 players on their 40-man roster.
