With age setting in on Jorge Posada and Jesus Montero not yet ready to fill his shoes, the New York Yankees signed free agent catcher Russell Martin to take over the duties behind the plate.

After heavy interest from both the Boston Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays, Martin agreed to a one-year $4 million contract with the Yankees who were more aggressive in signing the free agent.
 
Martin, 27, won the National League Gold Glove Award in 2007 as well as taking the Silver Slugger Award that same year. The Yankees hope he can regain that form and step in as the Bombers every day catcher.
 
“I'm expecting what I've done in the past, and hopefully even better," the former Dodgers backstop said via conference call. "I'm going to do everything I can to get back to those ways. Because talent just doesn't go away. I know I can hit, you know what I mean? I just want to get back to that consistency."
 
During the 2007 season, Martin had a career season hitting .293 with 19 home runs while driving in 87 runs. In 2010, the catcher was sidelined in Spring Training with a groin injury and struggled through the season hitting .248 with five home runs and only driving in 26 runs. His season ended prematurely with a broken right hip.
 
The Canadian native was drafted in 2002 by the Dodgers in the 17th round and has compiled a career .272 batting average during his stint in Los Angeles.
 
"I think we're adding a very, very good player, which I think is going to help our club," said manager Joe Girardi in an interview. "I'm excited about Russell."
 
Martin’s contract with the Yankees also consists of incentives which can earn him an additional $1.4 million. Martin wanted to sign with the team that wanted him more, thus turning down a similar offer made by the Dodgers of $4.2 million. 
 
Martin has gone through an extensive physical examination and Yankees’ GM Brian Cashman is very comfortable with the results regarding the catcher’s small meniscus tear in his right knee. Martin will undergo surgery to repair the knee and his recovery should only take about three weeks. 
 
As for his hip, "It feels great," Martin said in an interview. "I haven't felt anything wrong with it for at least a month now. There's absolutely no problem with it. Before I hurt my knee, I was really pushing [the hip] pretty hard in training and stuff, and I never really had any side effects of pain or anything of that nature. I had full range of motion and everything, so I feel pretty comfortable with my hip." 
 
Martin feels he can regain his form of 2007 and make a positive impact with the Yankees. The former Gold Glove catcher needs to get back to basics, get healthy, be consistant and use the talents he has been given. 
 
"I am also excited to be closer to home, on the East Coast and have family come and see me play," Martin said. "But, really, the main thing is having the opportunity to win and have a chance to go to the World Series."