Detroit Tigers: Hypothetically, a Victor Martinez trade market would be extremely limited

Detroit Tigers fans could see more trades this winter. If veteran designated hitter Victor Martinez is dealt, there won’t exactly be an abundance of suitors on the trade market.

Detroit Tigers designated hitter Victor Martinez could conceivably be one of a number of veterans traded this offseason.

Of course, moving the 38-year-old is easier said than done.

Right off the bat, Martinez would have to approve a trade.

The veteran currently has 10-and-5 rights. A player gets 10-and-5 rights once he’s been in the league for at least 10 seasons and has spent at least the last five with his current employer.

Martinez has been in the league for 15 years, and has been with Detroit since the start of the 2011 season.

In other words, he easily qualifies.

Whether Martinez is open to a trade obviously remains to be seen.

However, in the chance that the designated hitter would approve a trade, the list of potential trade partners is short.

Related Story: Tigers should be aggressive on waiver wire this winter

Right off the bat, the veteran is scheduled to make $18 million next season, per Spotrac.

Unless the Tigers eat some of that, it’s unlikely any team would take on that kind of money, even if it’s just for one season.

Considering he’s also 38 and doesn’t play the field, Martinez probably isn’t a fit for any team in the National League.

That limits any trade possibilities to the American League.

The hypothetical trade market

As it stands, there aren’t too many designated hitter vacancies in the Junior Circuit.

Seattle has Nelson Cruz, the Angles have Albert Pujols, Boston has Hanley Ramirez and the Blue Jays have Kendrys Morales.

This winter, both Houston and New York will see their respective designated hitters reach free agency as Carlos Beltran and Matt Holliday hit the open market.

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The Astros could easily give more at-bats to Evan Gattis or Derek Fisher at designated hitter.

Meanwhile, New York could do the same with Aaron Hicks, Clint Frazier or Miguel Andujar.

Still, if either team wants a different veteran presence at designated, Victor Martinez could be a fit.

Once again, it remains to be seen if a trade will happen considering that Martinez can veto any move.

Why a trade makes sense for Detroit

Still, it would make sense for the Tigers to trade him and move Miguel Cabrera off first base.

Installing Cabrera as a full-time designated hitter would help prolong the future Hall of Famer’s career.

The move would also help him stay productive as he wouldn’t risk injuries in the field.

That would obviously create a need at first base, but the Tigers could try shifting a player there from another position like Nicholas Castellanos or Christin Stewart.

To continue with the hypothetical situation, Detroit could look to sign one of a handful of quality offensive first baseman who could hit the market this offseason.

Yonder Alonso, Lucas Duda, Mitch Moreland, Logan Morrison and Mark Reynolds will all be free agents this winter.

Mike Napoli could join the mix if Texas declines the team option in his contract (per Spotrac) for next season.

The Detroit Tigers could sign one of that group to a short-term deal as the franchise looks for a long-term solution at the position.

Next: Predicting Ian Kinsler's trade market

All in all, trading Victor Martinez will be easier said than done. In the event that the designated hitter is moved, it’s likely that his trade market won’t exactly be as expansive as a player like Shane Greene, who could fit on any roster.