The Pittsburgh Pirates have agreed to a two-year, $17 million deal with former New York Yankees catcher Russell Martin, sources told ESPN. The Yankees wanted Martin to return, but never made an offer; their priority has been in retaining pitchers and they knew what type of contract the catcher wanted, sources said Yankees general manager Brian Cashman already has re-signed starting pitchers Hiroki Kuroda and Andy Pettitte and has agreed to a $10 million deal, plus incentives, with closer Mariano Rivera, sources said. It is believed the Yankees eventually would have offered Martin two years, but may not have matched the yearly average the Pirates gave him. Martin made $7.5 million with the Yankees last year. "I want to thank the @yankees organization and fans for treating me with class and respect... I will truly miss the city and people of NY," Martin tweeted Thursday night. Source: ESPN
