LAKELAND, Fla. -- Houston's loss was most definitely Detroit's gain last season.
When the Astros released J.D. Martinez, the Tigers moved quickly to sign him thanks to assistant general manager Al Avila having known him since he was in high school.
After tearing up Triple-A pitching with the Toledo Mud Hens, Martinez was called up to Detroit and never left. He hit .315 with 23 home runs and 76 RBI in 123 games with the Tigers, providing them with a solid No. 5 hitter behind Miguel Cabrera and Victor Martinez.
For Martinez, who arrived in camp Saturday, it's a good feeling to walk in knowing he already has a role on the team.
"It's definitely different," Martinez, 27, said. "I feel like I'm always slow to get going every spring training that I've ever been in. So I feel like not having that pressure like I've had in years in the past will definitely help.
"It'll help me relax and go at my own pace instead of trying to come in and hit .900 in my first games."
Tigers manager Brad Ausmus recalled not expecting much out of Martinez a year ago, but that's certainly changed this spring.
"He was released, so there really wasn't expectations," Ausmus said. "I think now he's kind of set a little bit of a standard that we certainly are leaning on him a little bit.
"I don't know if we can count on him to hit .320, but I think he could be a very good hitter with some power."
Now that he's found a home with the Tigers, Martinez said it's way too early to think about what he might be able to do this season.
"I just feel like I've got to go out there and control what I can control, just get ready for the season," he said. "I don't like to think too far ahead. I like to take it day by day, what's in front of me right now.
"So I'm really not looking towards the season right now. I'm just kind of coming in and trying to get my body ready for 162 games."
One thing Martinez is definitely ready for is being with his teammates again.
"That's what I'm most excited about coming back is the guys and being around these guys," Martinez said. "I've never been on a team that from the moment I walked in, it felt like family.
"We've all embraced each other. We all look out for each other. You don't have that mentality of people wanting you to fail, so that they can take your job type thing."
Martinez kept those relationships going throughout the offseason. Like several other Tigers, he's from the Miami area, so he spent time with his fellow south Floridians.
If you follow Martinez on Instagram, you could see pictures of him with Cabrera, Alex Avila, Nick Castellanos and Anibal Sanchez. Martinez said Bryan Holaday also visited. Martinez even provided an update on Cabrera's progress following offseason surgery.
"I was able to hang out with Miggy and watch him," Martinez said. "Even the last day I was there, he took a couple swings and just him moving around. He seems very positive and very excited about it.
"I get excited just watching him. I'm like, 'Oh, you're going to be ready.'"
Martinez is ready for a little bit of a challenge in moving from left field to right with the addition of Yoenis Cespedes.
"It's definitely different," Martinez said. "But I feel comfortable. I played some in right field last year out there."
Martinez, who hit Sunday with Cespedes and some of the other early-arriving position players, is eager to learn from his outfield mate.
"Cespedes is one of the most feared hitters in the game, as far as power and stuff like that," Martinez said. "I'm excited to go out and watch him."
Martinez said last spring he was excited because he wanted to try out his revamped swing. This spring his excitement is more about the team.
"I know we have a chance to go to the playoffs and make a run for it," he said. "Because last year that was the most exciting part about it. That's what got me through those dog days of September and August was that hunt, being in the hunt and that excitement of it."
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-- COMPLETE TIGERS SPRING TRAINING 2015 COVERAGE
