Tigers Rumors: Jim Leyland on Victor Martinez and the Free Agent Market
By Editorial Staff
Last week it seemed as if the Detroit Tigers were set roster-wise for the beginning of the 2012 season. Things changed in a hurry during a routine workout, and the Tigers are now likely without Victor Martinez for the year. Tigers manager Jim Leyland spoke with MLB Network Radio yesterday, hitting on the impact Martinez’s injury will have on the club, possible replacements for the slugger and the Tigers 2012 starting rotation.
Leyland told MLB Network Radio that he believes Tigers general manager Dave Dombrowski summed up the Martinez injury well when he compared it to a punch in the gut. Still, Leyland noted that you have to be able to take a punch if you want to stay in the fight.
Being as blunt as ever, Leyland said that if the Tigers were to say Martinez’s loss isn’t going to hurt the club, they’d be lying.
At this point the Tigers are expected to search the free agent market for Martinez’s replacement. There are several bats that are still available, though Leyland wonders how well those remaining on the market can produce anymore. Leyland admits that one name likely to come up in discussions is former Tiger Johnny Damon.
Leyland also addressed the Tigers starting rotation yesterday with MLive.com’s James Schmehl. In speaking with Schmehl, Leyland said that the Tigers have a “No. 5 hole” and “some nice options” within the organization that could ultimately fill it. However, Leyland noted that in-house candidates won’t preclude the Tigers from going “outside the organization by way of trade or free agency”.
There are several viable starting pitchers left unsigned, including Roy Oswalt. As far as the trade market, Detroit has been constantly tied to Cubs right-hander Matt Garza this offseason, thought the Tigers say reports of their interest are overblown.
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You can check out all of the available free agents by position below.