Two years ago, Pirates fans spent the entire 2014 season wondering if Russell Martin would come back the following year. There were campaigns to extend him, and fear that the entire team would fall apart without him. All of this was ironic when you consider that hardly anyone thought Martin would be that good when he was signed prior to the 2013 season. The overwhelming belief was that he could provide good defense, wouldn’t provide offense, and had question marks on whether he could stay healthy.
Last year, the Pirates let Martin walk, and traded for Francisco Cervelli, getting two years of control in the process.