Detroit Tigers' Victor Martinez expected to return for 2018 season

ORLANDO, Fla. – Victor Martinez lives near the Waldorf Astoria Orlando hotel, where on Tuesday afternoon, his name was bandied about at the MLB general manager meetings.

Detroit Tigers GM Al Avila has not forgotten about his veteran designated hitter. And all signs point to Martinez returning to the field in spring training for his 16th major league season and seventh in Detroit.

“I fully expect him to come in and in good shape and ready to perform,” Avila said. “I don’t think there’s really going to be any setback with Victor at this point.”

More on Tigers:

Martinez, who turns 39 next month, underwent cardiac ablation surgery in September after two instances of an irregular heartbeat during the regular season. It was a trying season for Martinez, whose performance on the field sharply declined and presence in the clubhouse was questioned. In 2017, he hit .255 with 10 home runs and 47 RBIs, a sharp contrast from his power hitting days of the past.

At this point, Avila is certain Martinez will be medically cleared to play.

“There’s nothing that I have, no information that I have or that anybody from the medical field has told me he can’t play," Avila said. "It’s completely the opposite, that he should be able to play.”

Martinez is owed $18 million next season in the final year of a four-year, $68-million deal signed before the 2015 season. Back then, Martinez was coming off a second place finish in American League Most Valuable Player voting. Still, the Tigers – then headed by general manager Dave Dombrowski – knew the Martinez contract would not look wise in the final years.

But if Martinez is healthy and able to embrace the team’s rebuild, positively influencing the younger players on the roster, he could serve a steady role next season. The Tigers are in desperate need of left-handed hitting – Martinez is a switch-hitter – and a semi-productive Martinez in the middle of the batting order would go a long way in the team’s self-proclaimed quest for respectability next season.

“After Victor went home and we talked face-to-face, he expressed to be ready to go in spring training,” Avila said. “So again, I expect Victor, because of the recovery, to go ahead and have a normal offseason as far as strength and conditioning and get back to baseball shape and be ready to play in spring training.”

Avila had no update on Martinez’s physical limitations this offseason.

If he is not medically cleared to play, the Tigers would be on the hook for the entirety of his salary because his contract is not insured. If he retires, he would forfeit his 2018 salary.

“I don’t expect him to retire,” Avila said. “Would you?”

Contact Anthony Fenech: afenech@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @anthonyfenech. Download our Tigers Xtra app for free on Apple and Android devices!