Tigers Close To Signing Victor Martinez

According to a post by Ignacio Serrano of ESPNDesportes.com (h/t @SabreRoseTiger) the Tigers are close to signing free agent catcher Victor Martinez to a four-year $50 million contract. The report, in Spanish, cites a source close to the negotiations who says that an announcement appears imminent and that barring any unforeseen complications, could take place within hours.

Obviously, if this report is accurate, this would be a major coup for the Tigers and poke a gaping hole in the Red Sox lineup for next season and beyond. Boston’s backup plan at catcher was John Buck, but he signed with Florida last week.

What it would mean for the Tigers is another big bat to place behind MVP candidate Miguel Cabrera in the lineup. It is expected that Martinez would share time behind the plate with left handed batting Alex Avila, while also being the regular DH versus right handers.

We’ll stay on top of this story and bring you updates as they become available.

**UPDATE: 10:26am Ken Rosenthal has a source that confirms this report. In his next tweet, Rosenthal says the Tigers outbid Boston, the White Sox, and the Orioles for Martinez’s services.

**UPDATE: 11:05am CSNNew England’s Sean McAdam tweets confirmation that a deal is in place.

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