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Victor Martinez, signed and developed by the Indians, is in the fourth and final year of $50 million deal with the Tigers.

(Mark Duncan/ Associated Press)

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – I’m not sure if it would work. I’m not even sure if it’s a fit, but I heard something a while ago that’s intriguing.

There is word that Victor Martinez, a free agent at the end of this season with Detroit, would like to finish his career in Cleveland. When people talk about the Indians' inability to develop middle-of-the-order hitters, they conveniently forget the switch-hitting Martinez.

He hit 20 or more homers three times for the Tribe. His best RBI seasons in Cleveland were 108 in 2004 and 114 in 2007.

Martinez, 35, is an everyday DH, who can dabble at catcher and first base. He's currently hitting .322 (37-for-115) with seven homers and 19 RBI for the surging Tigers. It certainly hasn't hurt Martinez to hit behind Miguel Cabrera, but over his last four seasons, Martinez has never hit less than .301.

The Indians and Martinez still have ties. President Mark Shapiro, who traded Martinez to Boston in 2009, is still close with him. Terry Francona, who managed him for a 1½ in Boston, is now the Indians manager.

Money would be a question. Martinez is in the final year of a four-year $50 million deal with the Tigers. The Indians, just over one year removed from their lengthy and unfulfilling deal with DH Travis Hafner, almost assuredly wouldn’t go that route again.

Still, having Martinez hit in the middle of the Tribe’s lineup is something to ponder in the months to come.