J.D. Martinez Trade Rumors: Latest News and Speculation on Tigers OF

Detroit Tigers outfielder J.D. Martinez has become the subject of trade rumors this offseason as the club is trying to retool for a postseason run in 2017.

Continue for updates.

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No Market for Martinez?

Wednesday, Dec. 7

Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal reported that the Tigers are struggling to move Martinez, as teams still have plenty of options available to them on the open market. Rosenthal noted the Tigers are looking for an infielder or outfielder.

A rival executive told Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports on Nov. 10 that Martinez is the Tiger most likely to be dealt this offseason, citing his status as a free agent following the 2017 season and Detroit's collection of right-handed power in the lineup.

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Giants Reportedly Involved in Martinez Talks

Tuesday, Nov. 15

Jon Morosi of MLB Network reported the Tigers and San Francisco Giants "have had recent discussions" about a deal for Martinez. Morosi added that the two teams talked at the GM meetings last week and "have yet to advance beyond [the] initial stage."

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Martinez Is Obvious Trade Chip for Rebuilding Tigers

With Miguel Cabrera, Justin Upton, Ian Kinsler, Victor Martinez (switch-hitter) and Nick Castellanos, the Tigers are loaded from the right side of the plate.

Certainly, Martinez's pending free agency makes him expendable. And Buster Olney of ESPN reported in October that the Tigers would listen to offers on all their players this offseason, even franchise staples like Cabrera and Justin Verlander.

While Olney acknowledged that hardly meant the Tigers were about to embark on a fire sale, it was an indication that the front office was at least considering a mild makeover after the team failed to reach the postseason in 2016.

And general manager Al Avila already suggested the Tigers were interested in lowering their payroll and weren't interested in offering Martinez a long-term extension at the time, per Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press:

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I don’t foresee any talks of a long-term contract at this point. In saying that, we’re going to keep an open mind in what possibilities come across this winter, this coming summer. I’m not going to rule out that we wouldn’t consider a long-term deal, but sitting here today, we’re not thinking that way right now. Can’t say we wouldn’t be thinking about that down the road.

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Martinez, 29, is an appealing trade chip.

He hit .307 with 22 home runs, 68 RBI and 69 runs scored in 2016. He was amazing in 2015, ripping 38 homers and 102 RBI. He's sandwiched that breakout campaign between seasons where he hit at least 22 home runs but also played 123 games or fewer.

And based on Avila's comments, it's hard to imagine the Tigers won't at least entertain the notion of dealing Martinez.

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