Jays, Mariners join Tigers in hunt for V. Martinez

Victor Martinez, seeking a four-year contract, will be a popular guy this offseason. (USATSI)

PHOENIX — The Blue Jays have joined at least the Mariners and incumbent Tigers in the derby for top free-agent designated hitter Victor Martinez, who posted an MVP-type season at the right time.

Toronto is seen as having the greatest needs at second base (or third base) and in the bullpen, though it recently traded slugger Adam Lind, perhaps opening some room. The Mariners also like V-Mart very much, with GM Jack Zduriencik said to have him high on their list, as Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com reported.

The Tigers also would very much like to have Martinez back, as Tigers president/GM Dave Dombrowski said here Monday morning at the GM meetings. Martinez will surely reject their $15.3 million qualifying offer, as he seeks a four-year deal.

The White Sox were reported at one time to have some interest in V-Mart, with the Orioles possibly making some sense should Nelson Cruz sign elsewhere.

Martinez, 35, had 32 home runs, 103 RBI and a .335 batting average with a league-leading .409 on-base percentage and league-leading .974 OPS.

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