Bleacher Report suggests bizarre Tigers reunion with former star slugger

With less than a week to go until pitchers and catchers report to spring training, there are still quite a few free agents who remain without a team for 2025. Yes, Alex Bregman is still one of those free agents, and he would be an ideal fit for the Tigers' needs – but he's not budging on his contract demands, so let's talk about someone else for a change, shall we?

Kerry Miller of Bleacher Report recently compiled a ranking of the top 25 remaining free agents on the market and their projected landing spots, and he predicted that the Tigers would end up signing ... not Bregman. Instead, Miller tabbed Detroit to go a different route to land the right-handed slugger they need in 14-year MLB veteran J.D. Martinez. What?!

"After a renaissance run through 2023 (33 HR, .893 OPS with the Dodgers), Martinez looked more his age last year with the Mets," Miller wrote. "He still hit at least 16 home runs for the 10th consecutive 162-game season, though, and continues to hit quite well against lefties. If [the Tigers are] unable to get Alex Bregman, Martinez could be the right-handed slugger the Tigers need."

Bleacher Report suggests Tigers make bizarre reunion with former star slugger

Martinez, now 37, first rose to stardom during his three seasons with the Tigers from 2014-16. While a reunion would bring veteran stability to the Tigers' lineup – not to mention nostalgia – Martinez's advanced age and his limitation to a DH role last year with the Mets would make him a rather bizarre choice for the Tigers if they lose out on Bregman. (For what it's worth, Miller has Bregman going to the Chicago Cubs.)

It's worth noting Miller also tabbed Detroit as the projected landing spot for one of the top closers in free agency in Kenley Jansen. Based on the Tigers' payroll and roster situation, this projected signing makes a little more sense.

"Wherever he lands, the current fourth-place pitcher on MLB's career saves leaderboard wants assurances he'll continue to have regular access to save opportunities," Miller wrote. "At this stage in the offseason, though, it's getting difficult to find a team that both could reasonably afford the 37-year-old and doesn't already have a clear closer on its staff. Maybe Detroit makes one more $15 million-ish acquisition?'"

Ok, now we're talking! If the Tigers are going to chase a veteran, it might as well be a pitcher who has Hall of Fame high-leverage experience.

Of course, this all depends on how committed the Tigers are to keeping Jason Foley as their closer in 2025 – and how committed Martinez is to staying in baseball and deferring his professional pickleball dreams for another year.

Either way, with Kerry Carpenter in the fold and a roster overflowing with valuable versatility, Martinez serves no purpose on this roster. Squeezing one of the last guys out of the bullpen for Jansen, though? Fans can get behind that.

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