"It was not Cliff Lee, so on the day last December when the Yankees announced they had signed Russell Martin to a one-year contract worth $4 million, the reaction among Yankee fans was one big collective yawn.

It's not that Martin was not a good catcher. He had been, in fact, a two-time All-Star for the Los Angeles Dodgers not long ago. But there were a few reasons why his signing was not regarded as a big deal. The first was that Martin had been non-tendered by the Dodgers, due to a hip problem that was believed to have caused a decline in his offensive game. Second, many figured he was just keeping the spot warm for prospect Jesus Montero. And, finally, Yankee fans sometimes take a while to warm to guys who are considered "role players."

Martin was one of the least sexy free-agent signings the Yankees have made in recent years. Like a throwback to the 1998 offseason when the Yankees signed Scott Brosius. Like Martin, Brosius was told to play good defense and that any offense was a bonus.

And like the move to get Brosius, the signing of Martin is paying huge dividends. Listen to an American League advance scout describe the ways Martin has made his team better."