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Diamondbacks reportedly interested in trading for Tigers slugger JD Martinez

Diamondbacks reportedly interested in trading for Tigers slugger JD Martinez
Posted at 4:00 PM, Jul 17, 2017
and last updated 2017-07-17 19:00:02-04

As of Monday, the Arizona Diamondbacks are 53-39 and would still be in the National League playoffs -- but after losing eight of their last nine games thanks largely to hitting woes, it's clear they could use another strong bat in their starting lineup.

Detroit Tigers slugger and former All-Star J.D. Martinez could help fill that gap.

Multiple MLB experts have predicted the D-backs will acquire the 29-year-old right fielder before the July 31 trade deadline. Martinez is hitting .308 with 16 home runs and 39 RBI in 56 games played for Detroit this season. He was an All-Star Game selection in 2015.

MLB Network's Jon Morosi reported Saturday that the D-backs are "showing interest" in Martinez. USA TODAY's Bob Nightengale believes Martinez will ultimately be traded to the D-backs, suggesting Arizona could send minor-league outfielder Socrates Brito and pitching prospect Curtis Taylor to Detroit in exchange for Martinez.

Martinez has played in seven MLB seasons -- his first three with the Houston Astros and his last four with the Tigers. He's a career .283 hitter, and he set career highs with 38 home runs and 102 RBI in 2015. He missed the first month of the 2017 season with a foot injury he suffered during Spring Training.

The D-backs are averaging nearly five runs per game this season, but they have averaged fewer than 2.6 runs in their last nine games.