Sometimes you can tell that Fall is in the air. The crisp, biting wind that riffles through your hair. Ever-present pumpkins and hay bales. The smell of burning leaves in the air.
And the Pirates getting a catcher from the Yankees.
Two years ago, the Pirates signed Russell Martin away from the Yankees (let that sink in for a second) to a 2 year/$17M deal. Last year, the Pirates traded for Chris Stewart. And on Tuesday, the Pirates traded LHP Justin Wilson for Francisco Cervelli.
Not only were all three of those catchers Yankees, but they also grade out as excellent pitch framers. Cervelli's career has been forestalled by a series of odd injuries and a PED suspension, but in his limited action he appears to be a poor man's Russell Martin.
Cervelli has good power, especially for a catcher, and he can get on base. His OBP last year was .371 and stands at .348 for his career. For the projected estimate of $1.1M, Cervelli should be a bargain this year for the Pirates. As long as he can stay on the field, which has been his issue.
At first blush, this looks like the Pirates admitting that Russell Martin won't be coming back. The Pirates, perhaps to preserve positive public opinion, contend that they are still strongly pursuing Martin and Cervelli could be his backup. Presumably, Stewart would be non-tendered in that scenario. Otherwise, Cervelli and Stewart will be the tandem in 2015.
The only thing I know is that if he wants to save time, the equipment manager for the Pirates should start getting a jersey ready for J.R. Murphy in 2016.
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