The Tigers and designated hitter Victor Martinez have agreed to a 4-year deal, according to sources. The deal is reportedly worth $70 million, and will carry an annual average salary of $17 million. Martinez will turn 36 on December 23rd, and had an MVP-caliber season. He is a finalist for the AL MVP award, along with Indians' OF Michael Brantley, and Angels' OF Mike Trout.
Martinez finished with a .335 average with 32 home runs, 103 RBI, and an AL-leading .409 on-base percentage. He received $12 million in 2014, which was the last of a 4-year, $50 million deal he signed before the 2011 season.
In his 3 years played in Detroit, V-Mart has hit .321 with 58 home runs and 298 RBI. He has caught a few games and played a good amount at first base, but is the primary designated hitter for the AL Central champions. Martinez missed the 2012 season with a knee injury.
The DH is entering his 13th MLB season, and in 12 years with the Indians, Red Sox, and Tigers, he has a .306 average with 189 homers and 927 RBI. In 39 postseason games, he is hitting .315 with 6 homers and 22 RBI.
Before agreeing to this deal, Martinez rejected a qualifying offer from Detroit for the 2015 season. The Tigers are now looking for some help in the bullpen and another bat in the outfield. They traded top prospect Devon Travis to the Blue Jays for OF Anthony Gose. Gose has speed, is a good defender, and can steal bases, but struggles offensively. Recent reports state that Detroit have shown interest in Blue Jays OF Melky Cabrera. 2 Cabrera's and 2 Martinez's could be a winning formula for the Tigers' 2015 offense.
Martinez finished with a .335 average with 32 home runs, 103 RBI, and an AL-leading .409 on-base percentage. He received $12 million in 2014, which was the last of a 4-year, $50 million deal he signed before the 2011 season.
In his 3 years played in Detroit, V-Mart has hit .321 with 58 home runs and 298 RBI. He has caught a few games and played a good amount at first base, but is the primary designated hitter for the AL Central champions. Martinez missed the 2012 season with a knee injury.
The DH is entering his 13th MLB season, and in 12 years with the Indians, Red Sox, and Tigers, he has a .306 average with 189 homers and 927 RBI. In 39 postseason games, he is hitting .315 with 6 homers and 22 RBI.
Before agreeing to this deal, Martinez rejected a qualifying offer from Detroit for the 2015 season. The Tigers are now looking for some help in the bullpen and another bat in the outfield. They traded top prospect Devon Travis to the Blue Jays for OF Anthony Gose. Gose has speed, is a good defender, and can steal bases, but struggles offensively. Recent reports state that Detroit have shown interest in Blue Jays OF Melky Cabrera. 2 Cabrera's and 2 Martinez's could be a winning formula for the Tigers' 2015 offense.
