Drama aside, MLB Free Agency paves way for J.D. Martinez to the Red Sox
J.D. Martinez may be the most appealing free agent available this MLB Free Agency period. Martinez knows that, and maybe that is why he is asking for such an absurd amount of money. But with the market at a dead calm, the power weighs towards the organizations, notably the Boston Red Sox.
The 2017-2018 MLB Free Agency period has experienced a severe drought. Negotiations have been so bare and teams so inactive that a rumor surfaced of a possible spring training boycott. The rumor proved overdramatic. Still, it is evident players are upset with the lack of movement this offseason.
Each offseason sees a marquee player or two stagger through the offseason without a deal, but February has arrived, and an unforeseen plethora of high-profile free agents remain team-less. Free agents, along with their agents, are in an awkward position. On the other hand, MLB organizations are in a place of power, even more so than they usually are.
The premise applies directly to the Boston Red Sox. Boston pursued free agent slugger J.D. Martinez just a few weeks ago. According to the Boston Herald, the Red Sox offered Martinez a five-year contract, worth $125 million. The offer was not accepted, at least as of yet. Martinez’s asking price at the beginning of the offseason was in the range of $210 million. He was also looking for a seven-year deal in his MLB Free Agency endeavors.
Remaining a free agent, Martinez has not budged from his initial request. But time is no longer in his favor. As the regular season nears, J.D. Martinez edges closer and closer to unemployment. Thus, his negotiating power lessens. Now would be the time for the Red Sox to pounce.
The Sox have already offered Martinez, so we know they want him. A stacked outfield, along with first basemen Mitch Moreland and Hanley Ramirez being under contract, present roster challenges for the Red Sox in regards to signing Martinez. However, what shines brighter than any surrounding issue is their suffered power outage from 2017.
J.D. Martinez has become one of the games elite power hitters. He is the top power hitter in free agency. Martinez ranked third in MLB in home runs last season, knocking 45 between his time with the Tigers and Diamondbacks. He’s a late bloomer, and many teams knock him for having only a sample size of success. But let’s not kid ourselves any longer—Martinez has displayed outstanding power in four consecutive seasons. He has power to all fields, and his home run success has come at the expense of playing most of his career at a very pitcher-friendly Comerica Park.
Imagine how fun of a transition it would be for Martinez to play half of his games at the pinball machine known as Fenway Park. Not to mention potential divisional games at hitter-friendly Yankee Stadium, Camden Yards, Rogers Centre, and Tropicana Field.
More from Boston Red Sox
- Boston Red Sox fans should be upset over Mookie Betts’ comment
- Analyzing the Boston Red Sox trade for Dave Henderson and Spike Owen
- Stock Up, Stock Down: Braves, Yankees, Cubs, Red Sox
- Boston Red Sox: The 4 players who are on the franchise’s Mount Rushmore
- Stock Up, Stock Down: Two teams rising, two falling post-trade deadline
Boston needs J.D. Martinez in the lineup on a daily basis. Moreland and Ramirez would delegate to second and third fiddle; Martinez would split time at first base and DH. The outfield is a long shot for Martinez; however, don’t be surprised if a Martinez signing prompts Boston to shop someone in the likes of Jackie Bradley Jr.
Toss J.D. Martinez into a lineup with Dustin Pedroia, Mookie Betts, Andrew Benintendi, Xander Bogaerts, and Rafael Devers…watch out. Boston would suddenly have a lineup that could compete with the rival New York Yankees.
The point is the deal needs to get done whether tomorrow or a month and a half from now. Frankly, Martinez’s hope for a seven-year contract is bananas. I defended his track record earlier; however, he has not sustained the kind of success worthy of a seven-year deal or a $30 million+ annual salary. The Red Sox are miles away from adhering to Martinez’s wild contract expectations. But it doesn’t seem any other teams are willing to offer even what Boston is.
Next: Yankees make Russell Willson's dream come true
Cushioning the offer ever so slightly could persuade Martinez to go to Boston, especially with the way the market is playing out. It would be a travesty if a major market team like the Boston Red Sox would allow a few million dollars (pennies and dimes on the professional sports scale) to prevent them from making an incredibly impactful roster addition. On the side of J.D. Martinez, it may be time to reevaluate his contract expectations in his MLB Free Agency requests.