Blue Jays: Full details on Russell Martin trade

Full details, figures, and quotes that have recently surfaced regarding the impactful trade that sent catcher Russell Martin to the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for two prospects.

Updated Financial Terms

According to Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet, who was on a conference call with Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins shortly after the trade was announced, the Jays will be sending $16.4 million to the Dodgers to cover the majority of his $20 million salary in 2019. Ken Rosenthal of the Athletic and Gregor Chisholm of MLB.com confirmed the dollar amount.

Therefore, the Dodgers will be responsible for $3.6 million of Martin’s remaining salary. Previously, Nicholson-Smith had estimated that the Blue Jays would be on the hook for between $16 million and $18 million. Earlier in the offseason, it had been suggested by numerous insiders that the Jays were open about being willing to eat a substantial portion of Martin’s 2019 salary.

Ross Atkins: “Discussions were ongoing”

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Before the deal with the Dodgers came together, Ross Atkins had “ongoing discussions” with several teams before ultimately trading Martin to Los Angeles, per Rob Longley of the Toronto Sun.

TSN’s Scott Mitchell also notes that Atkins kept “Martin informed throughout the trade process”. Mitchell also says that Atkins spoke highly of Martin, calling him “one of the toughest individuals he’s ever watched play the game”.

Martin: “I am truly grateful”

In a message posted on his official Twitter page (in both English and French), Martin spoke to Blue Jays fans and staff saying that he would “like to extend a very special thanks to the Toronto fans that followed [him] every step of the way”.

Excited about once again joining the Dodgers, the team that originally drafted him in 2002, Martin said he is “looking forward to being back with the Dodgers where it all began”.