Jan 11, 2019
Jays trade C Martin, cash to Dodgers for SS Brito, RHP Sopko
The Toronto Blue Jays have traded catcher Russell Martin and cash considerations to the Los Angeles Dodgers for shortstop Ronny Brito and pitcher Andrew Sopko. Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports the Blue Jays will cover a significant portion of Martin's salary in the deal.
TSN.ca Staff
The Toronto Blue Jays have traded catcher Russell Martin and cash considerations to the Los Angeles Dodgers for shortstop Ronny Brito and pitcher Andrew Sopko.
General manager Ross Atkins said Friday that the Jays will pick up $16.4 million of his salary for next season. Martin is entering the final year of his contract and has $20 million remaining on his current deal, a five-year, $82-million contract inked with the Blue Jays in 2014.
Martin, a Toronto native, appeared in 90 games last season for the Jays and had one of the worst offensive seasons of his career, finishing with 10 homers and 25 RBIs. He also posted a career-low .194 batting average with a .338 on-base percentage.
While primarily playing catcher, the 35-year-old also appeared at left field, shortstop and third base for the Jays last season.
Brito, 19, signed with the Dodgers as a free agent in 2015. The Dominican Republic native hit .288 with 11 home runs and 52 RBI in 53 games in the Pioneer Rookie League last season. He was ranked 23rd among by MLB.com among Dodgers prospects prior to the trade.
Sopko, 24, spent time in both Double-A and High-A leagues last season. The right-handed starter posted a 3-1 record in Double-A last season with 3.88 ERA over 14 games (11 starts). He was drafted in the seventh round of the 2015 MLB Draft by the Dodgers. Sopko was not ranked among the Dodgers' top 30 prospects by MLB.com.
Martin spent the first five seasons of his career with the Dodgers and has also played for the New York Yankees and Pittsburgh Pirates over the course of his 13-year MLB career.
He released a statement via Twitter later on Friday thanking the Blue Jays organization:
"I want to thank the Blue Jays organization from top to bottom for the opportunity to play in my home country for the last four years. It was truly an amazing ride! I'll miss this great team and staff. I am now looking forward to being back with the Dodgers where it all began for me. I would like to extend a very special thanks to the Toronto fans that followed me every step of the way. I am truly grateful for your continued support," Martin tweeted.