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Yankees decline Martinez's option
Yankees decline Martinez's option
First baseman enjoyed his second tenure in New York
Tino Martinez hit .241 with 17 home runs and 49 RBIs in 131 games this season. (Ben Margot/AP)
Yankees Headlines
NEW YORK -- Tino Martinez's second tenure with the New York Yankees ended after one season, as the club decided on Tuesday not to exercise its one-year option for 2006.
The Yankees will pay the first baseman, who will turn 38 on Dec. 7, a $250,000 buyout instead of bringing him back for $3 million to serve as Jason Giambi's backup for another season.
"I know the team has to get younger," Martinez said in a telephone interview. "I totally agree with that."
General manager Brian Cashman, attending the GM meetings in Indian Wells, Calif., said that the move was made in part to pare payroll. He also pointed to the presence of Andy Phillips, 28, as the Yankees try to use some of the talent in their Minor League system.
"Tino's been a terrific Yankee," Cashman said. "But we have a kid knocking on the door in Phillips, so we should see what he can do. I'm not locked into it, but I'm gravitating toward using him there."
Martinez signed a one-year, $2.75 million deal with a 2006 option on Dec. 31, 2004, as the Yankees brought back the popular player to back up Giambi and be a part-time designated hitter.
Martinez hit .241 with 17 home runs and 49 RBIs in 131 games this past season, though most of those numbers came in May, when Martinez hit 10 homers and drove in 23 runs. His 10 homers -- all of which were hit in the first 15 days of the month -- led the American League in May.
As the season went on and Giambi regained his old form, Martinez's playing time diminished. He had just 38 at-bats in June, 48 in July and 12 in September, getting most of his playing time as a late-inning defensive replacement at first base.
He reiterated on Tuesday that he was satisfied with his role last season, as his 303 at-bats represented his lowest total since 1991, when he played just 36 games with Seattle.
"I had a great time," Martinez said of his 2005 season. "I'm thankful for the time I had with the Yankees."
Martinez was a part of the Yankees' four World Series championship teams from 1996 to 2000, becoming one of the most popular players on the team in the process. His best season came in 1997, when he hit .296 with 44 home runs and 141 RBIs.
The Yankees signed Giambi to a seven-year contract after the 2001 season, allowing Martinez to depart as a free agent. He spent 2002 and 2003 with the St. Louis Cardinals before being traded to Tampa Bay, where he played with his hometown Devil Rays in 2004.
Phillips hit .150 with one home run and four RBIs in 27 games this season, getting 40 at-bats off the bench. He hit .300 with 22 homers and 54 RBIs in 75 games with Triple-A Columbus in 2005.
"You certainly hope you get that opportunity as a player," said Phillips from his home in Alabama. "Coming up with this organization, to have the organization think that you're a guy that might be able to do that, is certainly gratifying. If that's the case, hopefully, I can hold up my end of the deal."
"He's a right-handed bat," Cashman said. "That fits a little better in our situation with Giambi."
Should the Yankees decide to sign a veteran first baseman, there are several on the free agent market that the club could consider for the backup role, including Scott Hatteberg, Travis Lee, Doug Mientkiewicz, John Olerud, Eduardo Perez and J.T. Snow.
Where Martinez goes from here is unknown. He said that he will take it easy, spend time with his family this winter and then make a decision as to whether he wants to play for a 17th big-league season.
"As far as my future goes, I have no idea," Martinez said. "We'll see what happens. I haven't ruled anything out either way. I haven't made up my mind yet."
The Yankees still have one more decision to make on a player option, as the club must decide by Nov. 15 whether to pick up Tanyon Sturtze's $1.5 million option for 2006 or pay a $150,000 buyout.
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