Report: Tigers agree to deal with Victor Martinez

Multiple reports indicate that the Tigers are very close to striking a deal with catcher/DH Victor Martinez. The deal is believed to be worth 50 million dollars over a four year pact. 

Martinez hit .302 with 20 home runs and a .351 on-base percentage in 127 games with the Red Sox this past season, a year after putting up similar numbers in 155 games. Martinez is healthy and proven consistent, and will be 32 next month.

The Red Sox reportedly stood pat at a four year deal worth 42 million dollars a year. A 2 million dollar difference is all the difference for Martinez to return to the AL Central. Martinez is only a .225 hitter at Comerica Park, in 169 at-bats, but hits well just about everywhere else in the AL Central so I'm sure he will settle in just fine. 

It's a big steal early in the offseason for the Tigers and big blow to the Red Sox, even if they don't want to admit it. Jarrod Saltalamacchia is now the primary catcher unless they sign someone else, and David Ortiz is still the teams DH. They will need to make an offensive acquisition which could come in the form of Carl Crawford or in a trade involving a pitcher.