Tigers sign J.D. Martinez to 2-year, $18.5 million deal

The Tigers have agreed to a 2-year, $18.5 million extension with outfielder J.D. Martinez, according to a baseball source. Baseball Essential's Robert Murray first mentioned the possibility of a deal.

Detroit had been discussing a variety of long-term deals with Martinez this winter, as the All-Star had expressed his interest in staying with the Tigers organization for the long haul. The sides instead were only able to come to terms on a shorter-term deal that provides cost certainty for Martinez' last two arbitration seasons.

Martinez, 28, hit .282/.344/.535 with 38 homers and 102 RBI in a fantastic season for the Tigers last season, and is eligible for free agency after the 2017 season. He has earned just $3.483 million over parts of five major-league seasons, causing an increased desire for guaranteed salary after a breakout campaign.

Martinez was slated to go to an arbitration hearing if a deal was not reached, though today's agreement will cover his arbitration salaries for the next two seasons.