Victor Martinez rumors: ‘No chance’ that Tigers let him sign elsewhere as free agent
By Hayden Kane
For the last two seasons, Detroit Tigers’ slugger Miguel Cabrera has been one half of a heated debate about who should be the Most Valuable Player in the American League. He won MVP both of those seasons, of course, but in 2014 Cabrera might not even be the most valuable player on his own team.
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Victor Martinez has been nothing short of sensational for the Tigers this season. In 603 plate appearances, Martinez is slashing .333/.403/.567 with 31 home runs and 99 RBI. It not for that same Mike Trout guy who kept losing to Cabrera in the MVP race in previous seasons, Martinez might be in line for serious consideration. As it is he will be recognized after the season with awards like the Silver Slugger, and rightfully so.
Interestingly enough, the 35-year-old Martinez is set to be an unrestricted free agent this winter. In theory, one could reasonably see any number of teams throwing a lucrative, short-term deal his direction. Even if they do, however, they will not be able to get him away from the Tigers, at least not according to Buster Olney.
Talked to some rival executives the last couple of weeks who say they think there's no chance the Tigers let Victor Martinez sign elsewhere.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) September 20, 2014
The Tigers have some ugly situations with their long-term contracts in future years thanks to the money they will owe Cabrera and Justin Verlander on the back ends of their respective contracts. That places even more emphasis on here and now for their championship window, which is why it makes sense that they will be aggressive to keep Martinez for the next couple seasons, at least.
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