By Tim Kelly, Sports Talk Philly editor 
If you expected a quiet week for the Philadelphia Phillies hot stove at the MLB Winter Meetings, then you guessed incorrectly.
So far the team has signed reliever Joaquin Benoit, and one report indicated that they may be willing to trade outfielder Odubel Herrera.
Jim Salisbury of Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia also says that a domino effect could take place where the team becomes a serious suitor for Detroit Tigers outfielder J.D. Martinez:
"According to sources, the Phillies and Tigers could be a trade fit if the Tigers were to deal second baseman Ian Kinsler. If the Tigers move Kinsler, they could look to move Martinez to the Phillies for second baseman Cesar Hernandez. Phillies officials have said they are in no hurry to deal Hernandez, but the team does have depth at second with a pair of prospects (Scott Kingery and Jesmuel Valentin) on the way and a ready-made stopgap in Kendrick at the position."
Essentially what Salisbury is saying is that if the Tigers move Ian Kinsler to another team, they could circle back to the Phillies to find Kinsler's replacement in a second trade that brings Cesar Hernandez to the Motor City. The Phillies in turn, would land rightfielder J.D. Martinez, move the newly acquired Howie Kendrick from left field to second base and then still have Aaron Altherr and Roman Quinn play in left field. It's hard to follow, but it makes sense.
This isn't the first time that the Phillies have been connected to Martinez. Last week Jon Morosi of the MLB Network reported that the two sides had discussed Martinez, but noted that 'talks weren't progressing.' Perhaps that is because talks would be contingent on the Tigers first trade Kinsler.
Martinez, 29, slashed .307/.373/.535 in 2016, while homering 22 times and driving in 68 runs. He's due $11.75 million in 2017 and can become a free-agent after the season. In a trade, the Phillies would hope that moving to a more hitter friendly park in Citizens Bank Park would allow Martinez to have a hot first half, which would enable general manager Matt Klentak to trade him — and essentially make a profit — at the league's non-waiver trade deadline.
