The Pittsburgh Pirates and free-agent catcher Russell Martin have agreed to a deal, Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal reported Thursday night via Twitter.

Source: #Pirates reach agreement with Russell Martin, pending physical.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) November 30, 2012

The New York Times’ David Waldstein reported that the deal is for two years and $17 million.

Russell Martin has agreed to a 2-year, $17 million contract with the Pirates, according to a person with direct knowledge of the deal.

— David Waldstein (@DavidWaldstein) November 30, 2012

Martin spent the last two years with the New York Yankees. He hit .211 last season with a career-high 21 homers and 53 RBI. He had a .713 OPS.

The Yankees had wanted to bring Martin back, ESPN.com’s Andrew Marchand reported Wednesday. But they were reportedly competing with the Pirates and at least three other teams for his services.

The Yankees could now turn to A.J. Pierzynski as their next choice.

Catcher Russell Martin and the New York Yankees discussed a three-year contract extension this offseason, according to Bryan Hoch of Yankees.com. Martin ultimately signed a one-year, $7.5 million contract with the team.

“It was a first start,” Martin told Hoch. “I love being here. Just the guys, the organization, the way they handle their business, it’s a fun environment.”

According to Hoch, the Yankees do not discuss contract extensions in-season.

Martin, 29, hit .237 with 18 home runs and 65 RBIs for the Yankees this past season.

The New York Yankees and catcher Russell Martin avoided arbitration and agreed to a one-year deal worth $7.5 million, according to ESPNNewYork.com.

The contract price is $100,000 dollars less than the midpoint between what Martin had asked for and what the Yankees had offered, according to the report.

Martin, 28, will be a free agent after the 2012 season. He hit 18 home runs and drove in 65 runs last season in the Bronx.