Lakeland, Fla.— Based on last year’s miserable numbers, and based on a 39th birthday in December, it was never a sure thing Victor Martinez would wear Tigers threads in 2018.
Yes, they owed him $18 million for another season as their designated hitter. But the money was going to be paid either way. Better, perhaps, to write him a farewell check and think about a younger, more energized bat at DH.
Martinez instead turned salesman during conversations with Tigers general manager Al Avila. He said he was into a workout regimen worthy of a Marine Corps grunt.