Tigers Ink New Contract with J.D. Martinez
Pitchers and catchers will be reporting within the next six to seven days as spring training begins for the 2016 MLB regular season. Most position players will report in the next 10 to 12 days.
The Detroit Tigers and J.D. Martinez have finalized a new deal of two years for $18.5 million on Wednesday that avoids any salary arbitration for the slugger.
Martinez is to earn $6.75 million during the upcoming season and in 2017 will be paid $11.75 million. The outfielder, who is 28, will be eligible for free agency following the World Series in 2017.
When both sides exchanged their proposed salaries for arbitration in January, Martinez asked for an increase to $8 million from $3 million for the upcoming seasons and was offered by Detroit $6 million.
Last season, Martinez had a batting average of .282, with 38 homers and 102 runs batted in. In 2014, Martinez hit 23 home runs after being released by Houston during the Astros spring training and signed by the Tigers.
Martinez is just one part of what baseball experts are projecting to be one of the most formidable batting orders in baseball.
This winter the Tigers signed outfielder Justin Upton to a free agent contract in January to help extend the window the club has for a chance to win the World Series.
One of the top hitters in baseball is Miguel Cabrera who returns and Detroit hopes that Victor Martinez is able to rebound from his disappointing 2015 campaign.
The Tigers were dead last in the American League Central division last season after winning four straight division titles.
The long-term future of the team is still somewhat uncertain. Cabrera along with veteran hurler Justin Verlander are both in their 30s. J.D. Martinez, Anibal Sanchez and Upton will all become free agents following the 2017 season.
Sanchez has a team option of $16 million for 2018, while Upton is able to opt out of his deal of six years following the 2017 season.
J.D. Martinez was one of Detroit’s best surprises over the last two seasons. He had shown decent power with Houston for three years, but struggled to reach base on a consistent basis.
Detroit acquired him on March 2014 on a minor league deal and since he was called up early that season, he has been a big force with his bat in the Detroit lineup.
