"The can't-wait look on Victor Martinez's face said it all.

He was asked if he was excited about joining his fellow Venezuelans -- Miguel Cabrera, Carlos Guillen and Magglio Ordonez -- in the middle of the Detroit Tigers batting order.

"Man, I am," Martinez said. "I really am."

His eyes twinkled as he spoke in the Marchant Stadium clubhouse after Monday's first workout at the Tiger Town fields.

"It's pretty exciting to have this kind of talent in one room," Martinez said. "I just want to get this season going right away. We have a chance to win the World Series."