NEW YORK CITY (AP) -- Catcher Russell Martin finalized a $4 million, one-year contract with the New York Yankees on Thursday.
Martin will become the primary catcher, with Jorge Posada shifting to designated hitter. Barring a trade, Francisco Cervelli, Jesus Montero and Austin Romine will compete for a reserve role.
"He was one of the premier catchers in the game not too long ago," Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said. "From performance and injuries the last two years, he's slipped from that status, but we feel he's a low-risk, high reward scenario."
Martin will have surgery Monday to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee, an injury the Yankees discovered during his physical. Cashman said Martin should be ready by the start of spring training.
The 27-year-old became a free agent when the Los Angeles Dodgers failed to offer a 2011 contract. An NL All-Star in 2007 and 2008, he set career lows last season with a .248 average, five homers and 26 RBIs in 97 games. His season was cut short Aug. 3 when he broke his right hip and tore a labrum against San Diego while tagging up and trying to score on a flyball.
He had 19 homers in 2007 and 90 RBIs the following year.
"It could be a physical thing," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "But I believe we can get him back to where he was. He's a patient hitter. He knows how to work the count."
New York had planned to move the 40-year-old Posada from behind the plate, and Cashman had been saying Cervelli would compete with the two young players for playing time.
"As these kids take the next step to the major league level, they can develop on their time frame, and now the time frame is not forced on them because we need them now at all cost," Cashman said. "Instead of sink or swim, it's now a situation where we can ease them in."
Girardi said the youngsters may be better off in the minors than a promotion to a major league backup role.
"It is a position that you want guys playing every day, improving their skills," he said.
Martin can earn an additional $1,375,000 in performance bonuses for games played at catcher: $50,000 each for 30 and 35, and $75,000 apiece for 40 and each addition five through 120.
Part of Martin's job, along with that of Posada, will be mentoring Montero and Romain.
"We have great depth," Cashman said. "We have great protection from injuries."
The Yankees have also finalized their minor league contract with right-hander Mark Prior, who is trying to make it back to the major leagues for the first time since 2006.
Still trying to come back from shoulder surgery, Prior spent most of 2010 with an independent minor league team. He could be reunited with former Chicago Cubs teammate Kerry Wood, who was New York's setup man late in the season and then became a free agent.
New York also agreed to minor league contracts with right-handers Brian Anderson and Buddy Carlyle; left-handers Neal Cotts and Andy Sicco; infielder Doug Bernier; and catcher Gustavo Molina.
(Copyright ©2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
