Scherzer, Martinez Decline Qualifying Offers
By Ashley Dunkak
@AshleyDunkak
CBS DETROIT - As expected, starting pitcher Max Scherzer and designated hitter Victor Martinez have turned down the qualifying offers extended to them by the Detroit Tigers.
None of the players given qualifying offers this season will accept, according to Jon Morosi of Fox Sports.
Both Scherzer and Martinez performed well in 2014, with Scherzer nearly matching a career year and Martinez hitting for more power than he ever has in his lengthy career.
Scherzer, who won the American League Cy Young in 2013, recorded an ERA of 3.15 over 220 1/3 innings this season, and Martinez nearly won a batting title with his .335 average and turned in an American League-best .409 on-base percentage. He also smacked 32 home runs.
The Tigers tried to re-sign Scherzer before the season, but he reportedly rejected their six-year, $144 million offer. At the team's year-end press conference, Tigers general manager Dave Dombrowski did not sound optimistic about Scherzer returning, and Martinez reportedly wants a four-year deal, a term to which Detroit may not want to commit since Martinez will be 36 years old next season.
