Victor Martinez Extended Qualifying Offer By Detroit Tigers

Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Victor Martinez, one of the best hitters in Major League Baseball last season, was extended a qualifying offer by the Detroit Tigers.

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Switch-hitting designated hitter Victor Martinez was quietly one of the most dangerous hitters in baseball last season. Set to hit free agency this winter, Martinez would provide an immediate upgrade to the middle of the order for any number of teams around the league.

The Detroit Tigers made it a lot more difficult for potential suitors to sign Martinez this week, taking advantage of the qualifying offer system. They announced that they extended the $15.3 million qualifying offer to both Martinez and ace starting pitcher Max Scherzer.

If a team other than the Tigers wants to get aggressive about signing Martinez, they will have to do so with the understanding that it will cost them draft pick compensation.

Martinez .335/.409/.565 with 32 home runs and 103 RBI in 151 games for the Tigers in 2014. That is incredible production, and Martinez just continues to prove that he is an elite offensive player when he is healthy. Even at age 35, more than one team would probably be willing to give Martinez a multi-year deal for that kind of offensive pop.

The Tigers have been consistent in their interest in bringing Martinez back. This qualifying offer might only be a temporary measure, then, until they can put together an offer more to Martinez’s and their liking. Quite frankly, the Tigers would probably be happy to have Martinez back for one season at that $15.3 million figure.

Some qualifying offers are simply extended as protection by teams that are conceding that they will lose the player in question. But in this case with Martinez, it is likely that the Tigers are serious about using this as one step in a process to bring him back, possibly for multiple years.

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