Update: The Toronto Blue Jays have repotedly signed Martin to a five-year deal worth $82 million, according to Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal.
The Chicago Cubs are one of many teams interested in free agent catcher Russell Martin, and they've reportedly emerged as the front-runner to land the three-time All-Star.
According to MLB.com, executives involved in the bidding for Martin believe that the Cubs are the leading candidate to acquire the services of Martin, who is highly regarded as the top catcher available on the free agent market.
Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal noted on Twitter that he believes the projected deal for Martin will be a four-year pact in the $64 million range.
Executives involved in bidding for Russell Martin believe #Cubs are clear front-runner. Deal expected to be in four-year, $64M range.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) November 17, 2014
Chicago has plenty of competition as the Pittsburgh Pirates are hoping to re-sign Martin while the deep-pocketed Los Angeles Dodgers are also hoping for a reunion with the catcher and the Toronto Blue Jays are in the mix as well.
The Pirates extended Martin a qualifying offer, however he opted to decline it, meaning that if another team signs him, they will have to forfeit a draft pick.
The Cubs' first round pick is within the first 10 of the MLB Draft (ninth overall), so it is protected and Chicago would have to surrender a second-rounder if they signed Martin
Martin reportedly met with Cubs officials at Wrigley Field earlier this month and Chicago is looking to upgrade behind the plate after a rough year by Welington Castillo.
Castillo, 27, hit just .237/.296/.389 in 110 games in 2014 with 13 homers, 46 RBI and 28 runs. Castillo threw out 33 percent of would-be base stealers.
Martin, 31, hit .290/.402/.430 in 111 games for Pittsburgh last season and hit 11 homers while adding 67 RBI. On the defensive side, Martin threw out 39 percent of would-be base stealers last season.
Martin owns a .259 batting average in his nine-year career with 119 homers and 540 RBI. The catcher won the Gold Glove and Silver Slugger awards in 2007.
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