The Dodgers knew this off-season that their catchers of the future were waiting in the wings with Will Smith and Kiebert Ruiz still in need of more minor league seasoning. After engaging with the Marlins for trade talks involving J.T. Realmuto the Dodgers were not going to meet the Marlins’ high asking price so they brought an old friend back in Russell Martin.
This spring the starting catcher role was supposed to be a battle but with Russell Martin missing time due to injury and Austin Barnes delivering a strong spring performance so far, the starting catcher role is all but locked up for Austin Barnes.