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Detroit Tigers: Now is Time to Take Fliers on Players Let Go By Other Teams

By Ben Rosener

Mar 12, 2017; Lakeland, FL, USA;Detroit Tigers right fielder J.D. Martinez (28) runs to first base on a double to center during the third inning of an MLB spring training baseball game against the New York Mets at Joker Marchant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 12, 2017; Lakeland, FL, USA;Detroit Tigers right fielder J.D. Martinez (28) runs to first base on a double to center during the third inning of an MLB spring training baseball game against the New York Mets at Joker Marchant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /
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Detroit Tigers
Sep 9, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers right fielder J.D. Martinez (28) hits a two RBI single in the fifth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

Detroit Tigers general manager Al Avila added plenty of minor league depth over the offseason. With teams starting to pare down their respective rosters, Detroit should look to take fliers on players let go.

Detroit Tigers slugger J.D. Martinez is the absolute best case scenario in terms of a team taking a flier on a player.

The outfielder came to the Tigers after posting a cumulative -1.1 WAR after parts of three seasons.

Martinez only collected 24 home runs and 126 RBI, while hitting .251 with the Astros.

By comparison, Detroit’s right fielder mashed 38 home runs and drove in 102 runs during the 2015 season. He also hit .282 that year.

Overall, Martinez has posted a wRC+ north of 136 in each of his three seasons with the Tigers. The 29-year-old has also seen his ISO numbers finish above .225 in each campaign in the Motor City.

So yeah, J.D. Martinez is pretty good at baseball.

The Detroit Tigers signed him before the season began in late March of 2014. While the team is unlikely to find a player who will develop into an All-Star like Martinez, the team should still be taking fliers.

Clubs around the league are beginning to pare down their respective rosters ahead of the fast-approaching Opening Day.

The Tigers should take advantage of the players hitting the open market.

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