Detroit Tigers: Pros and Cons of Trading Victor Martinez

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Aug 9, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Detroit Tigers designated hitter Victor Martinez (41) celebrates after hitting a solo-home run against the Seattle Mariners during the fifteenth inning at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports /

Detroit Tigers designated hitter Victor Martinez is one of many veteran performers the team could trade this offseason. Here are the pros and cons of dealing the 37-year-old.

Detroit Tigers general manager Al Avila is in the midst of bringing change to the club. In an attempt to make the team more financially sustainable for the long term, Avila has already moved center fielder Cameron Maybin.

Other high-priced veterans like J.D. Martinez, Ian Kinsler and Francisco Rodriguez could all conceivably be moved as well.

Additionally, one name that seems to be coming up as trade rumors start to swirl is that of designated hitter Victor Martinez.

According to the Boston Globe’s Nick Cafardo, the veteran is drawing interest. In an article published in the Globe, Cafardo wrote, “Teams are sniffing around on Martinez, who would hold the same kind of value for a team as free agent Carlos Beltran.”

Martinez is coming off his fifth full season in Detroit.

The 37-year-old batted .289 with a .351 on-base percentage in 154 games played. The longtime Tiger also added 65 runs scored, 27 home runs and 22 doubles. Overall, he also contributed a 120 wRC+ and a .351 wOBA.

Despite the solid numbers, the veteran did strike out a career-high 90 times, surpassing his previous—high by 12 punch outs. His WAR sat at just 0.9 for the season.

Here are the pros and cons of trading Victor Martinez.

Jul 9, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays catcher Russell Martin (55) tags out Detroit Tigers designated hitter Victor Martinez (41) at home plate in the second inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /

Pros

Immediate Salary Relief

Given Martinez’ continued ability to produce at the plate, it wouldn’t be a shock to see Detroit unload the entirety of the veteran’s contract in a trade.

Per Spotrac, the former catcher is set to make $18 million in both 2017 and 2018. He’ll hit free agency following the 2018 campaign.

Removing that number from the books will do wonders for the Tigers long-term outlook where money is concerned.

Improved Base Running

Victor Martinez has the ability to be a force at the plate. However on the base paths? Not so much.

The designated hitter finished last on the Tigers in both BsR (-11.4) and UBR (-9.2). In fact, Martinez ranked last in the Majors among qualified batters in both base-running stats.

He also finished with 19 double plays grounded into. That number ranked as tied for the sixth-highest mark in the league.

Replacing the veteran with someone like Tyler Collins (0.5 BsR) or JaCoby Jones (0.6 UBR) would help Detroit’s base running output significantly.

Improves Defense

He may not play much in the field, but removing Martinez from the equation could help Detroit’s defense.

By trading the veteran, the team would free up the designated hitter slot to use more freely. This means the Tigers can rotate in some of the team’s players who graded out poorly in defensive numbers.

While the likes of Justin Upton (-6.0 UZR), Nick Castellanos (-11 DRS) and Miguel Cabrera (-6 DRS) won’t become full-time designated hitters, giving the trio 10-15 games each at the position would help Detroit’s overall defense.

Using the designated hitter spot to rotate players would also afford manager Brad Ausmus the opportunity keep key players fresh over the course of the season.

Aug 17, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers designated hitter Victor Martinez (41) gets set to bat in the first inning against the Kansas City Royals at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

Cons

The title should probably read “Con,” seeing as should Martinez be dealt, the one area where the Detroit Tigers will suffer is at the plate.

Even at 37, the former Red Sox standout proved to be an above-average contributor when swinging the bat.

Martinez’ 120 wRC+ checked in ahead of the likes of Buster Posey and Xander Bogaerts, while his 14.8 strikeout percentage ranked as the 35^th-best number in the category throughout Major League Baseball.

What’s more, the ex-catcher ranked as one of Detroit’s best offensive performers. He finished fifth in wRC+, wOBA, OPS and third in RBI on the team’s roster.

The Tigers could also miss Martinez simply in terms of giving the lineup length.

Nick Castellanos, Justin Upton and J.D. Martinez can all move up to hit cleanup, providing Miguel Cabrera with similar protection.

However, even if this is the case, Detroit’s remaining sluggers will have to move up a spot in the lineup.

Lineup Options

This will force the team to rely on another batter towards the bottom of the order.

Depending on how Ausmus handles the designated hitter position and the outlook of the Opening Day roster, this could mean a number of possible lineup additions.

JaCoby Jones, Steven Moya, Tyler Collins, Anthony Gose and Andrew Romine all stand to gain more at-bats should Victor Martinez be traded.

While there is plenty of upside with the likes of Jones and Moya, there’s also plenty of uncertainty.

Jones is still developing as a player, while Moya is still working on lowering his strikeout totals.

What’s more, Collins could end up profiling as more of a fourth outfielder or a platoon option after logging an 84 wRC+ last year.

Rounding out the group are Gose and Romine. Both bring some potential value as Gose adds a speed element to the team, while Romine offers defensive flexibility and solid base running.

However, neither is Martinez at the plate.

Both players’ wRC+ numbers sat below 72, while Gose managed just a .287 on-base percentage last season. Romine’s .304 number in the category wasn’t much better, but much of his value came on defense.

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