Report: Tigers, Giants Talking J.D. Martinez Trade
By: Will Burchfield
@burchie_kid
The General Managers Meetings ended last week, but baseball's hot stove continues to simmer.
Per Jon Morosi, the Tigers and Giants have been talking about a potential trade involving J.D. Martinez.
Martinez has become a hot commodity on the trade market, given his impressive numbers over the past three seasons and his team-friendly contract.
Since 2014, the 29-year-old right fielder has hit .299 with an .898 OPS and a per-season average of 33 home runs and 99 RBI (prorated over 162 games). He will make $11.75 million in the 2017 season, after which he'll become an unrestricted free agent.
Tigers GM Al Avila has made clear his intentions to shed salary and replenish the organization's youth ranks. That change of course has thrust a number of the Tigers' stars into trade rumors, and Martinez has emerged - in some eyes - as the most likely candidate to be dealt.
If the Giants do execute a trade for Martinez, it's likely that the Tigers would receive young, cost-controlled talent in return. The Giants' top three prospects, per MLB.com, are shortstop Christian Arroyo, right-handed pitcher Tyler Beede and first baseman Chris Shaw.
Update: Morosi clarified that the discussions between the Tigers and the Giants took place at last week's GM Meetings and "haven't advanced beyond initial stage." The GM Meetings ended on Friday.
