Diamondbacks fans have come to enjoy outfielder slugger J.D. Martinez since Arizona acquired him from the Detroit Tigers in July.

And for Martinez, the feeling is mutual.

A night after becoming just the 18th player in major league history to hit four home runs in a game, the free agent-to-be told azcentral.com he is interested in staying in Arizona long term.

"I've thought about it a lot," Martinez said. "It's definitely something I'd love, I'd be interested in. I've loved my time here. The guys are great. The team is young. They're definitely going to be good for a while."

Entering Tuesday, Martinez was hitting .257 with 18 home runs and 40 RBIs for Arizona, which holds the National League wild-card lead.

"I think one of the most important things in my free agency is I want to be on a team that's relevant -- a team that's good, a team that's in it," he told azcentral.com. "I don't want to be on a team just because [it offers the most money]. I want to be on a team that's got a chance. That's what's fun. That's what you play the game for."