Earlier this offseason, when Russell Martin signed a one-year deal with the Yankees for a guaranteed base salary of $4 million plus incentives, it didn't seem too different from the Dodgers reported offer of $4.2 million plus incentives. The performance bonuses in the Yankees' deal were easier to attain, and could push the total value higher than the Dodger offer, but for the most part both offers seemed similar. However, the Dodgers' offer to Martin was not guaranteed, a source has confirmed to True Blue LA.
The Dodgers declined to tender Martin a contract in December, as he was likely to earn a raise from his $5.05 million 2010 salary through arbitration. He hit .248/.347/.332 in 97 games, before a torn labrum in his right hip on August 3 ended his season.In five years as a Dodger, Martin hit .272/.365/.396 in 667 games, and was an All-Star in 2007 and 2008.
Given that there were legitimate concerns as to Martin's recovery from a rare injury for catchers, it is understandable, at least to some degree, that the Dodgers were risk averse. However, it is also easy to see why Martin chose the Yankees over the Dodgers, given that one offer had guaranteed money and the other one did not.