JD Martinez, Tigers finalize $18.5 million, 2-year deal

DETROIT (AP) J.D. Martinez and the Detroit Tigers have finalized their $18.5 million, two-year contract, a deal that avoided salary arbitration. Martinez will

DETROIT (AP) J.D. Martinez and the Detroit Tigers have finalized their $18.5 million, two-year contract, a deal that avoided salary arbitration.

Martinez will earn $6.75 million this year and $11.75 million in 2017 as part of the agreement announced Wednesday.

The 28-year-old Martinez was eligible for arbitration through next year and can become a free agent after the 2017 World Series.

When the sides exchanged proposed arbitration salaries last month, Martinez had asked for a raise from $3 million to $8 million for this season and had been offered $6 million.

He batted .282 with 38 home runs and 102 RBIs last season. He hit 23 homers in 2014 after he was released by Houston during spring training and the Tigers signed him.