Victor Martinez: How the Boston Red Sox Are Affected by His Signing With Detroit

Reports are saying that Victor Martinez, the free agent catcher from the Boston Red Sox, signed with the Detroit Tigers.

This could be detrimental to the Red Sox, who were hoping to re-sign the 31-year-old Venezuelan catcher.

Considering his great numbers and value to the team, how will this affect the Red Sox next season?

Martinez's Productivity Will Be Missed

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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 25: Francisco Cervelli #29 of the New York Yankees is helped by Victor Martinez #41 of the Boston Red Sox after falling over the Red Sox dugout wall trying to catch a foul ball during their game on September 25, 2010 at Yankee Stadiu

Martinez was one of the best offensive catchers baseball last season. Not only does he have a great arm that can be used to easily throw out baserunners, but he has great numbers on the offensive end as well.

Last season Martinez batted .302 with 20 home runs and 79 runs batted in.

Martinez will be tough to replace for the Sox.

A New Catcher

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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 26: Victor Martinez #41 of the Boston Red Sox kneels in pain after throwing the ball away for an error on Brett Gardner (not shown) of the New York Yankees bunt attempt in the 10th inning on September 26, 2010 at Yankee Stadium in th

The Red Sox will be forced to replace this great catcher. Catcher is one of the most vital positions in the game of baseball, and finding a good one is hardly an easy task.

Finding a good defensive catcher might be something that Sox might want to pursue. 

Look for the Red Sox to try to make a move for a free agent or possibly trade for a good one.

His Switch-Hitting

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SEATTLE - SEPTEMBER 13: Victor Martinez #41 of the Boston Red Sox bats against the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field on September 13, 2010 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

Having a good hitter that is switch-hitting near the bottom of the order is a great advantage to have. It drives pitchers nuts, and that will be a hard thing to find in order to replace such a great hitter on both sides of the plate.

His ability to change it up is something that the Red Sox will have to search long and hard for if they expect to get that advantage once more.

His Leadership Is Gone

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ST. PETERSBURG - AUGUST 29: Catcher Victor Martinez #41 of the Boston Red Sox catches against the Tampa Bay Rays during the game at Tropicana Field on August 29, 2010 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by J. Meric/Getty Images)

Martinez was an eight-year veteran, and his leadership was greatly taken advantage of during his one-and-a-half years with the Sox.

Although his leadership is gone, the Red Sox should be able to find someone else to step up and take his role.

Draft Picks

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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 26: Catcher Victor Martinez #41 of the Boston Red Sox talks to pitcher Jonathan Papelbon #58 during the ninth-inning aganinst the New York Yankees bunt attempt in the 10th inning on September 26, 2010 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx b

In what is a loaded draft class this season, the Red Sox should receive some draft picks from the Tigers. If they offer Martinez arbitration and get the draft picks, they will possibly be able to draft a young catcher or someone to help their pitching game.

More Money to Spend on Pitching

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BOSTON - MAY 06: Victor Martinez #41 of the Boston Red Sox is congratulated in the dugout after he hit a two run homer in the third inning against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on May 6, 2010 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/G

The Red Sox needed some serious pitching adjustments last season, and this should give them the opportunity to spend more money on other areas of their game.

Although Martinez will be missed, maybe it's a good thing that the Red Sox didn't sign him again.