Russell Martin's 2015 Impact Potential Is Key Under-the-Radar Story

Lynne Sladky/Associated Press

When Marcus Stroman's knee went, it didn't take the Toronto Blue Jays' playoff hopes with it.

Stroman is a key cog in the Jays' rotation and the news that the 23-year-old right-hander is out for the season with a torn ACL was a painful blow, no doubt.

Toronto can weather this storm, though, thanks to a guy who won't throw a single pitch in 2015: Russell Martin.

Whatever route the team takes to fill the Stroman-sized hole on its roster, Martin will be the glue that holds the whole thing together. That's why the Blue Jays snatched up the Canadian-born catcher, inking him to a five-year, $82 million deal before Thanksgiving.

It was the biggest free-agent payday ever awarded ongeneral manager Alex Anthopoulos' watch, though it was quickly overshadowed by the blockbusters that followed elsewhere.

Martin, however, could prove to be among the most important offseason additions, under-the-radar or otherwise, for any team.

Yes, he's coming off the best offensive season of his career, during which he hit .290 with 11 home runs and a gaudy .402 on-base percentage for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Yes, he's among the game's elite defensive backstops,the 10th-best pitch-framer in baseball, perStatcorner, and a guy who gunned down an MLB-leading 37 would-be base stealers, perESPN.com.

And, double yes, the Jays are hoping he can replicate those numbers north of the border.

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Russell Martin's 2015 Impact Potential Is Key Under-the-Radar Story