A year ago, it was the most difficult week of Victor Martinez’s career.

Martinez knew the Indians were going to trade him. On July 29, they sent ace pitcher Cliff Lee to the Phillies for four prospects, so as the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline neared, it made little sense for them to cling to Martinez, a switch-hitting slugger who would be a welcome fit in the middle of any contender’s lineup.

Every day, he got phone calls and text messages from family and friends who wanted to pass along a new rumor or ask if he’d heard anything definitive.

“It’s not fun,” Martinez told the Boston Herald. “I mean, especially when it’s your first organization and you have everything there.