IMG has signed Tigers RF J.D. Martinez for endorsements and all other off-the-field work. Martinez, who won his first Silver Slugger award last season, will be represented by IMG's Ira Stahlberger and Brian Bishoff. He will continue to be represented on the field by RMG Baseball President Bob Garber. The bilingual Martinez, who was named an All-Star for the first time last summer, said Garber helped him find a marketing agent. “He is more of an on-field type (agent),” Martinez said of Garber, who has represented him since he was in Double-A. “He knows contracts. He knows baseball. ... He wanted me to be in the best hands and that is why he guided me to IMG." Stalhberger is known for signing team sports stars with widespread appeal. Other clients include Lions QB Matthew Stafford, Twins 1B Joe Mauer, Pro Football HOFer Terry Bradshaw and Hockey HOFer Wayne Gretzky. The fact that IMG is selective about signing team sports clients for marketing and other non-playing work was also appealing to Martinez, he said. “They want to represent guys they think they can really help. The fact that they reached out to me and they said that -- that really got my attention.” Martinez has an apparel deal with Under Armour and regional deals with Pepsi and T-Mobile. Garber negotiated his local deals, and Martinez said that he is ready and interested in national deals.
