1. J.D. Martinez (Boston Red Sox)
After a huge year in 2017 with the Detroit Tigers and Arizona Diamondbacks, J.D. Martinez was still not able to receive even $120 million from any team, therefore signing for $109.95 million through 2022. Well, Martinez sure made teams regret not giving him more money.
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If it were not for his teammate Mookie Betts, Martinez could have taken home the American League Most Valuable Player award-and he rarely played in the field.
The new Red Sox designated hitter definitely filled the void of David Ortiz’ retirement. He hit 43 home runs with a career high in runs batted in (130) in addition to winning TWO silver sluggers (DH and LF).
It is going to be hard to have a better year than he did last year, but his numbers will look similar. In 2019 Martinez is projected to hit 35 home runs with nearly 100 RBI’s and less strikeouts than a year ago.
Martinez will benefit off of the same protection he had last year with Betts, Andrew Benintendi, World Series Most Valuable Player Steve Pearce, and shortstop Xander Bogaerts.
I have Martinez over Khris Davis and Nelson Cruz (38) because he is the same age as Davis (31), and is seven years younger than Cruz. Also, he easily has the most protection around him in the lineup, and is projected to have better years than both Davis and Cruz.
Make sure to come back tomorrow for my top three MLB second basemen right now!