George Sipple

Detroit Free Press

Torii Hunter will likely continue to play baseball, but not with the Detroit Tigers.

Tigers general manager/president Dave Dombrowski told reporters today that he called Hunter to tell him he would not be pursued after the club agreed to a four-year contract with designated hitter Victor Martinez.

"I called and said it just didn't look like it was going to fit the way the club was getting put together," Dombrowski said. "Thanked him for everything. Absolutely love him. If something changes where we make some changes for one reason or another, that we're not anticipating, we would still be open. It's just probably not much of a fit right now."

Hunter signed a two-year, $26 million deal with the Tigers in November 2012 in hopes of winning a World Series.

Hunter posted on Instagram this evening: "I had a great 2yrs with the Tigers organization. Thank you fans for accepting and supporting me on the field and in your community. You fans were awesome and I'm gonna miss you guys. I'm glad Christ lead me to Detroit. Now, let's see where He leads my career from here. Be blessed Detroit!!!"

Although his defensive play in right field showed signs of decline, Hunter hit .304 with 17 home runs and 84 RBIs as in 144 games for the Tigers in 2013 and hit .286 with 17 home runs and 83 RBIs in 142 games this past season.

Dombrowski said he thanked Hunter and "wished him well. We had a great conversation."

Dombrowski said he had been in touch with Larry Reynolds, Hunter's agent, during the GM meetings in Phoenix recently and was told Hunter wants to play for sure next season.

Dombrowski said he was told Hunter "wants to go out there and play on an every day basis if he can and he thinks he might even be able to play for a couple of years. So in our situation, I said, 'Probably not going to fit then at this point.'

'REGROUP': Dombrowski was asked what was next on his to-do list after the Martinez press conference today.

"Well, I think we'll regroup a little bit," Dombrowski said, who said re-signing Martinez gives the Tigers the middle-of-the-order bat they wanted. "With the trade the other day of centerfielder Anthony Gose, that helps our outfield a great deal. So I think we just look back and talk to clubs and see where we are with it at this point.

"I'm not going to press out there and say we're going to anything in particular right now. It's just a matter of regrouping and seeing what happens."

Dombrowski said he was happy with the corner outfielder the club has now. Would he pursue others?

"We've got J.D. (Martinez) and Rajai (Davis)," Dombrowski said. "We think Gose is going to be able to play (center). We have two young left-handed hitters coming up with (Tyler) Collins and (Steven) Moya. Moya just finished a very good Arizona Fall League. We need to sit back ourselves and kind of analyze where we are with everything."

Dombrowski said Gose would "have to earn" the starting job in center.

"We know he can play defense," Dombrowski said. "And he can run. Now what will he hit? That's what will determine how much time he plays out there."

Dombrowski wouldn't comment when asked if the club has interest in Cuban free agent Yosmany Tomas.

'TWO CATCHERS': When Dombrowski was rambling off the hitters the club has coming back for next season, he mentioned several by name. He started out by saying the club had "two catchers" but didn't mention them by name.

There have been rumors that the club is listening to offers for catcher Alex Avila. The Tigers have a $5.4 club option that they haven't picked up yet. They don't have to pick up the option until Nov. 20, but Dombrowski wouldn't say whether the Tigers intend to pick it up.

Asked about the trade rumors regarding Avila, Dombrowski said: "I wouldn't get into any individual discussions. I'd say when you're at the general managers meetings, I was probably asked about every player we just about have at one time or another."

Prospect James McCann could be ready to challenge for playing time next season and Bryan Holaday was Avila's backup last season.

"I really don't know what we're going to do," Dombrowski said when asked about the catchers.

NOTEBOOK: Asked if he was still in the mix to keep Max Scherzer, Dombrowski said: "I have no idea. I wouldn't even expect to at this point. ... Again, it's only the middle of November. He has Scott (Boras) as his representative, who generally doesn't move things quickly. I wouldn't even think I'd have the pulse on that." Dombrowski wouldn't acknowledge whether he's had any discussions with Boras, but did say the club is comfortable with the four starters it has and going with a fifth guy from a competition among youngsters in spring training. ... Dombrowski wouldn't comment on how much more the Tigers are willing to spend after signing Martinez: "We're in a spot, we have a hefty payroll, as you know. It's hefty, but we'll just see what happens."

Contact George Sipple: gsipple@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @georgesipple.