Boston Red Sox reportedly offer J.D. Martinez five year contract
The long anticipated signing of J.D. Martinez by the Boston Red Sox could be moving closer to reality.
Since the start of the offseason, it has been expected that the Boston Red Sox would end up signing J.D. Martinez. The Red Sox have a clear need for a power bat in the lineup, and while such a move would leave the team with a glut of outfielders, Martinez would fill that vast power void. Of course, there is the matter of actually getting him to sign, or even offering Martinez a contract.
At this point, it appears that the Red Sox are ready to make their move. According to reports, they have offered Martinez a five year contract worth $110 million. Although that is certainly a princely sum, the offer is still far short of the $200 million that agent Scott Boras had aimed for at the start of free agency.
When healthy, Martinez has established himself as one of the top power hitters in the game. Over the past four years, he has averaged a .300/.362/.574 batting line, with 32 homers and 88 RBI. Extrapolated to over 162 games, Martinez averages 40 homers a season. The problem is getting him to remain healthy, as Martinez has averaged just 130 games a year in that time frame.
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There is no question that the Red Sox are desperate for a power bat in the lineup. Boston was dead last in the American League with 168 home runs last season, and only had four players hit 20 or more homers. Mookie Betts led the team with 24 longballs, a total that Martinez eclipsed in his 65 games in Arizona alone.
However, Martinez is definitely a gamble, even at the Red Sox offer. Given his health issues, making that type of financial commitment is a risky proposition, regardless of the player. He is also set to turn 31 during the 2018 campaign, giving Boston only two or three years of his hypothetical prime.
Chances are, this offer will not be enough to get Martinez to sign with Boston. It is, however, a starting point for the conversation. The deal may be close enough for Boston and Boras to find middle ground, giving the Red Sox that free agent they have been expected to land since the start of free agency.
Next: Craig Kimbrel and the $100 million contract
The Boston Red Sox have made J.D. Martinez an offer. Even if it is not exactly what the outfielder is looking for, it may be enough to start the ball rolling.