Yankees Could Check in on the Tigers’ Offseason Fire Sale

J.D. Martinez

Acquiring Martinez as a short-term solution to beef up the offense is probably more realistic than pursuing Miggy this winter, but it still doesn’t fit in with GM Brian Cashman’s recent M.O.  The 29-year-old outfielder hit .307/.373/.535 (144 OPS+) with 22 home runs and 68 RBI in 517 plate appearances.

Martinez has been one of the American League’s better power hitters since his surprising breakout in 2014, racking up 83 homers and 93 doubles over the last three seasons. He made his first All-Star squad last year, took home a Silver Slugger award, and even received some down-ballot MVP votes.

A free agent at the end of the 2017 season, Martinez would be a pure rental, but that could fit the Yankees needs as he could serve as a placeholder until top prospects Clint Frazier, Aaron Judge, and Mason Williams establish themselves at the big league level. Martinez is a better fit for the 2017 roster than Brett Gardner because of the team’s almost complete lack of proven power bats.

Tigers GM Alex Avila recently revealed the team was unlikely to pursue an extension with Martinez despite his impending free agency, leading to speculation that the slugger is among the most likely to be dealt this winter.

Justin Upton is also surely available, but with so many promising outfielders on the way up, the Yankees are unlikely to want to lock themselves into a big money guy long-term.