NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. – On the eve of this year’s Major League Baseball winter meetings – perhaps the most pivotal one for the Tigers in some time – some observations and opinions.
• Rightfielder J.D. Martinez has been widely reported as the team’s most attractive trade chip. Martinez, 29, is a middle-of-the-order power bat with an expiring contract at $11.75 million this upcoming season. Given the Tigers’ penchant for reducing payroll, and the fact they have plenty of right-handed hitters that can, in theory, fill Martinez’s void – Justin Upton and Nick Castellanos come to mind – he appears to be the most likely player traded.