Move over, Josh Thole: newly minted starting catcher Russell Martin isn't looking for many days off as he embarks on his first season with the Toronto Blue Jays.
After agreeing to a five-year, $85-million deal in November, Martin isn't shying away from the idea of catching knuckleballer R.A. Dickey - a role primarily reserved for Thole last season.
"I'm preparing that that's going to be my job," Martin told John Lott of the National Post. "Really, I don't know why it shouldn't. If I can catch the guy, I can be in the lineup."
Martin will work with Dickey throughout spring training and said he's committed to catching the deceptive pitch, which has claimed a few professional casualties over Dickey's 12-year career.
"I'm really just going to work at it," Martin said, "If I'm not good at it when I first try, I'll work until I am good at it."
Should Martin - who's been lauded for his defensive skills - take control of catching the right-hander, it could spell the end for Thole as a Blue Jay. With last year's starting catcher Dioner Navarro still on the roster, the club could look to deal from its surplus behind the plate.
