The MLB playoffs are into the next stage and now that the Detroit Tigers ate eliminated, free agents like Victor Martinez and Max Scherzer have already been mentioned in rumors and teams like the For NY Yankees, Seattle Mariners, Detroit Tigers, Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Dodgers and LA Angels all could be interested in signing those names once the winter starts.
Martinez is set to be one of the top free agent players on the market this winter and it comes after he put together a very solid run while in Detroit with the Tigers. Max Scherzer will also be on the market from the Tigers and he will be the top pitcher as a free agent along with Jon Lester. The Yankees will be in the mix for one of those three and they easily could go after Lester or Scherzer if they are willing to break the bank again. According to the Seattle Times, the Seattle Mariners are planning on targeting Martinez and he could be the big signing the team is looking for on offense.
The Tigers have Scherzer and Martinez hitting the market and according to Buster Olney at ESPN.com, the team would like to keep the switch hitting DH. The team may not have enough to also keep Scherzer, which is why they made the deal for David Price, who will be under team control through next season as well. Martinez put together a very strong season in 2014 and while he is getting up there in age, he still should command about $15 million per season.
ESPN.com reports that Martinez has suitors in the Mariners, Houston Astros, Chicago White Sox, Minnesota Twins, Cleveland Indians and the Tigers. Detroit has shown they have no problem spending a ton of money, but they also have Verlander and Cabrera under contract and the possibility of signing Scherzer, although now that looks unlikely. The Tigers have the money to keep who they want and if they give him a qualifying offer that could lead to a deal.
Last season Martinez hit .335 and was one of the league leaders and he also put up 32 home runs and 103 RBIs and that is exactly why he will be in high demand. Martinez is 35 and that is a big issues, but some teams feel that he would be worth the money anyway. The Mariners need another bat oh so badly and he is the top one on the market. The team ended up with a payroll over $100 million this season and it is expected to rise. The team may not want to pay Martinez what he wants, but if they want more protection for Robinson Cano, they may have to put up the cash money.
Scherzer had another very strong season and he will be in high demand, as the Tigers, Yankees, Chicago Cubs and other teams could be targeting him. The Yankees may not want to shell out another massive contract, but with CC Sabathia on the downside and Masahiro Tanaka coming back after an elbow injury, the team may not have much of a choice but to put up the contract and sign Scherzer.