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Tigers finalize $68M, 4-year deal with Martinez

FILE - In this Sept. 13, 2014, file photo Detroit Tigers designated hitter Victor Martinez points to the stands after his solo home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Indians in Detroit. A person with knowledge of the deal says the Tigers have agreed to a $68 million, four-year contract with slugger Victor Martinez. The person spoke on condition of anonymity to The Associated Press because the agreement has not been announced. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio) FILE - In this Sept. 13, 2014, file photo Detroit Tigers designated hitter Victor Martinez points to the stands after his solo home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Indians in Detroit. A person with knowledge of the deal says the Tigers have agreed to a $68 million, four-year contract with slugger Victor Martinez. The person spoke on condition of anonymity to The Associated Press because the agreement has not been announced. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

By Associated Press November 14, 2014 1 min read

DETROIT (AP) – The Tigers have finalized a $68 million, four-year deal to keep AL MVP runner-up Victor Martinez in Detroit.

Team president Dave Dombrowski says Martinez is one of the premier hitters in the league and the team is thrilled that he’ll continue his career in a Detroit uniform. The 35-year-old Martinez had perhaps his best season in 2014, hitting .335 with 32 home runs and 103 RBIs and helping Detroit to its fourth straight AL Central title. He was second to Mike Trout in the MVP vote.

The switch-hitting designated hitter has batted over .300 in eight of his last nine seasons, not counting 2012, when he missed the whole season with a knee injury. His bat carried the Tigers at times in 2014.