According to Ignacio Serrano of ESPN Deportes, the Tigers are close to a four-year, $50 million contract with catcher Victor Martinez.
Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com has now confirmed the report. Martinez is likely to serve as the Tigers' starting designated hitter in 2011 and only as a backup behind the plate. He batted .302/.351/.493 with 20 home runs and 79 RBI in 127 games this past year for Boston and will significantly improve the Tigers' offensive production. He should have no problem staying healthy and playing 150-plus games as a DH.