Pirates owner hopes to keep Martin: 'We're probably going to go beyond what a rational deal is'

Russell Martin will likely parlay his successful two-year run with the Pittsburgh Pirates into a big contract when he enters free agency after this season. 

Pirates owner Bob Nutting understands that, telling the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review he intends to make an aggressive push to re-sign the catcher. 

"He's an example of a player we're going to need to do what we can," Nutting said Wednesday. "We're going to need to stretch. We're probably going to go beyond what a rational deal is. He's a player who we love and respect and we hope he's back."

Martin hit .290/.402/.430 during the regular season and posted a career-high 140 wRC+, according to Fangraphs. He's been worth 9.4 wins above replacement since 2013, the third-best mark among catchers, while rating as the top defensive backstop in the game. 

The 31-year-old is set to make a significant raise from the two-year, $17-million deal he signed with the Pirates in 2012.