On the brink of free agency, slugger J.D. Martinez has switched representation and is now a client of agent Scott Boras, reports Rob Bradford of WEEI.com (on Twitter). The change comes just a day before the beginning of an offseason in which Martinez stands out as the top bat on the free-agent market — if not the top free agent overall.
The 30-year-old Martinez missed the first five-plus weeks of the season due to a foot injury and nonetheless returned to hit a career-high 45 home runs in 119 games between the Tigers and Diamondbacks. Overall, he slashed a ridiculous .303/.376/.690 on the season, bringing his cumulative batting line since 2014 to .300/.362/.574. Martinez has averaged 32 homers per season and 40 long balls per 162 games played in that four-year stretch, establishing himself as one of the top sluggers in all of Major League Baseball.
Martinez’s new representatives will likely position him as the top offensive threat on the open market this winter, though they’ll also have to assuage concerns over their new client’s recent injuries as well as his declining defensive ratings. Martinez was limited to just 120 games in 2016 as well, though that was the result of a fractured elbow that can largely be written off as a fluke injury. His glovework could prove more troubling. After rating as an above-average defender in 2014-15, Martinez graded out as one of baseball’s worst defenders at any position in 2016 and was well below average (though still somewhat improved) in 2017.
Those potential shortcomings notwithstanding, it’s quite likely that Martinez will out-earn every other hitter on the free-agent market this winter. He joins Eric Hosmer, Mike Moustakas and Jake Arrieta as the most notable Boras clients of the offseason — a list that also includes Carlos Gomez, Carlos Gonzalez, Jeremy Hellickson and Tony Watson.
The change in representation has been reflected in MLBTR’s Agency Database, which contains agency information on more than 2,500 Major League and Minor League players. If you come across any notable errors or omissions within, please let us know via email: mlbtrdatabase@gmail.com.
The man wants paid!!!!
Huh?
MLBTR: In these articles about players switching agencies, could you please tell us who the former agency was? It is always left out of the story, and it’s hard to find otherwise. Thanks.
Agreed, I also find it interesting
They probably can’t and this is the best compromise. .
I remember one agent article, an agent complained in the actual article “not all of us want our client representation public”
Probably code word for: “I don’t want to be poached. Don’t put my name out there, it’s a cut throat business”
Losing a player makes you look weak. While there’s no shame to losing a client to Scott Boras, I don’t blame MLBTR for staying classy and not showing the old agent who lost their client for all the client switch articles.
And I’m sure if you look hard enough, you’ll find that info.
“I don’t blame MLBTR for staying classy and not showing the old agent who lost their client. . . “
How does withholding a piece of relevant info make the site classy? If that’s even what they are doing. Perhaps Steve Adams can tell us whether this is an oversight or an intentional omission?
Which agent a player is leaving is as relevant as which he is moving to. Unless you actually represent a major league team it’s just an academic question.
“And I’m sure if you look hard enough, you’ll find that info.”
Yeah, but this site is one of the first places I’d look. Seems like the sort of thing that would be posted here. Sorry, x, but the the thought that this site’s admins are intentionally omitting the names of former agents sounds off. My guess is that they simply don’t have that info readily available. But I’m willin’ to be told I’m wrong?
MLBTR is the undisputed #1 source for all things baseball. When it comes to baseball coverage, I’m grateful for the work these guys put in, day in and day out.
Their reputation is well deserved. I’ll always be loyal to MLBTR, not only due to the original content (usually one of first ) but because these guys do business differently and make you forget about this increasingly impersonal world we live in.
Whether or not they willingly omit this info as a respectful gesture to former agents (saving the agent from taking further hit to his reputation in his industry in addition to the money lost) or if they didn’t have that info at the time doesn’t matter.
Exposing Former agents who lost big big cash clients is erroneous information and can easily be googled.
I don’t think it should be announced to the world when agents lose big fish clients. They’ve already lost enough.
And it can be googled easily (if you really want to know, had to say it twice )
Again, it really makes no difference in the grand scheme of things, and as others hav demonstrated, can easily be found online and their database.
Sorry I meant to say if you really want to know, it can be googled easily and then add—> “I had to say it twice” (three times now, on how readily this information is avail via the google 😉 )
No disrespect intended That was my attempt at being funny, but this is a serious subject.
Well said!
xabial: I am loyal to MLBTR too. It has been my go-to site for years.
But what’s wrong with a respectable request for a pertinent piece of information, which MLBTR has at its fingertips?
Please tell me what makes that “disloyal” or “ungrateful” by implication.
(And yes, I know how to look things up. But as a trained editor, I know that all pertinent information that the reader might logically want to know should be included whenever possible.)
Look up Strawman fallacy, lester. I wasn’t questioning your loyalty. In fact, the words “disloyal”, “ungrateful” were not said or implied to you or anyone.
And it’s not a competition.
I was saying I’m loyal to these guys for all the reasons I listed above and it wouldn’t surprise me if they omitted former agents identities because they’re considerate of them.
Saying I’m loyal wasn’t meant for competition, lester. I brought up my loyalty to say I trust in what these guys do.
If they disclosed every old agent from this point forward, I wouldn’t stop reading. This site is addictive! and I love baseball.
I thought I was respectfully posting my opinion. Apparently not.
I’m Sorry if I offended you, lester.
PS- That was a rebuttal to majorflaw in-depth response. You started the discussion but majorflaw responded to me and I responded back.
Cry me a river. Nobody is going to mock the old agent. We all get that Boras probably cut down his take a bit and JD made the move knowing Boras secures maximum contracts. If news of a player signing with an agency is interesting it is also just as interesting to know what agency said player left.
Nobody said mock. Just the reputation of losing a $100MM $200MM contract… etc..
JD will be a cash cow.
I’m sorry if I’m the only one who feels for the old agent. Forget I said anything… I don’t know why you guys are mad…
What a tempest in a teapot.
All I will say is this:
“But what’s wrong with a respectable request for a pertinent piece of information, which MLBTR has at its fingertips?”
Bob garber and RMG baseball
Seems like the MLB Agency database above probably had the prior agent listed (before they switched to the new agent and switched it in the database). So they likely would have had it listed just yesterday. I don’t think it’s any deeper than them just not listing.
Haha, RMG Baseball has a large image of J.D. Martinez on a scrolling slideshow on their website. Most of the major agencies (Boras Corp, PSI, ISE, BHSC, Excel, CAA, ACES, etc.) have either a lengthy list of current and previous clients, or they mention/feature some of their prominent clients. That’s how they do business: by letting other athletes know who’ve they represented in the past.
Also, MLBTR has their agency database. They have thousands of players and their agencies listed. It’s a click away to figure that information out.
How is it classy to report on half the story?
He left Bob Garber and RMG Baseball.
With power to all fields at any park, he is going to cash in big time. It couldn’t happen to a nicer guy.
Aw Damn, that takes the Jays out of the possibilities. They won’t deal with Boras.
I wonder why that is? They seem to be leaving a lot of good players out of the mix if that’s the case.
It was actually the previous management. Think it had something to do with the inability to sign Bryant and Paxton after the Jays drafted them. After the Morales signing the new management might not deal with him anymore either.
Although the Jays drafted Bryant, it was well known at the time he was going to college. Boras being his agent had nothing to do with it. He was a late round flyer they hoped would change his mind. The lack of dealing with Boras clients also pre-dated Paxton.
Aaron Sanchez is now his client as of last year, so we’ll see how it goes.
Well that and no major free agent would come to the Jays anyway. They have major difficulty signing them for a lot of reasons. The Canadian dollar, going through customs every away game. Thinking we all speak French. Thinking it’s cold here 24/7. Jays had zero chance anyway.
A lot of players current and former Blue Jays, as well as players that never played here have great things to say about them. Saying that you go to Tampa, Seattle, Minnesota, it’s like having extra home games because of the high support from the national fan base. Most of your ‘thoughts’ are old and have been continuously been proven wrong. However you could say that the turf is the biggest reason why players don’t like to play there.
What are you talking aboot? It is cold here 24/7.
Sure is….Average Temps……
High Temps
Apr = 48
May = 63
June = 72
July = 77
Aug = 75
Sept = 72
Oct = 57
Low Temps
Apr – 41
May = 50
June = 50
July = 63
Aug = 63
Set = 55
Oct = 46
That’s pretty COLD for average temps……..LOL
And it’s called a dome, with heat.
Don’t forget not wanting to play on that God-Forsaken turf
So now it might take awhile for him to sign probably going to sign after the Giancarlo move.
yeah now it actually seems more likely that the giants get stanton than martinez
Martinez won’t get a contract the size of what’s even left on Stanton’s contract + whatever prospects they may want so I think it would be likelier that the giants try to land Martinez.
I think it is going to be a $/value issue, boras is well known for milking everything he can get – and he would want even more I am sure from a pitcher’s park with high taxes.
The Giants only get Stanton if Stanton wants to go to the Giants. He has a full no-trade clause and has already said he wants to go somewhere and Win (right away).
Trading for Stanton would put the Giants over the luxury tax threshold for the third year in a row. Huge penalties on top of paying an enormous contract……. I’m not sure if they even have the prospects to satisfied Jeter.
What kind of prospects do you think teams are giving up in exchange for a $295MM contract?
A team isn’t going to get him for free. Dodgers gave away (at the time) 2 top prospects in the Gonzalez/Crawford/Beckett trade. Marlins got haul for Reyes/Buehrle.
Both of those deals you mentioned had tons of moving parts. If you struck out on one or two guys, you’d likely have another gem. And it was a bunch of contracts, not just one.
With Stanton, it’s a $300MM gamble on one player. If he doesn’t do well, you have nothing else from that deal to fall back on. That’s $300 million for one player, not 3, not 5. One.
A proposed Stanton is definitely comparable if you add up value. Stanton in his prime is a ~6 win player. Those type of players rarely get traded, but when they do, it’s always for a load. ARod had a comparable contract when he was traded from Texas and they got Soriano and Joquian Arias (a legit prospect at the time) back.
Okay, so, let’s ask again, but a different way:
What team is going to trade an Alfonso Soriano-type player for Stanton? And who would that player be? I’m genuinely curious to know who you think teams would trade for Stanton.
And Soriano was actually an established young player at the time. That’s like the Nats trading for Stanton using Trea Turner as the centerpiece.
That was also 13 years ago.
It really doesn’t matter what I think. All it takes is one team. It may not even be this off-season, but I’m willing to bet good money that’s he’s going to be traded for a haul. Talent like Stanton has never come cheap on the trade market, no matter the contract.
Or maybe you are underselling Stanton’s abilities? He has 267 HRs 2 years before his 30th birthday. He’s the premier slugger of this generation.
He’s also owed $300M.
A-Rod had less than $200M on his contract when the Yankees traded for him. The Rangers pitched in $67MM, so the Yankees were getting A-Rod at a much cheaper price. $112MM in 2004, at inflation is $150MM, or half of Stanton’s contract currently. The mid-2000s Yankees wouldn’t even take on what was about $237MM in today’s rate. They needed the Rangers to help out.
The Rangers took on 37% of A-Rod’s salary. That’d be $109MM for the Marlins to take on if we wanted to make these similar deals.
I guess I’d want to know what the return would have been for Texas if they didn’t take on $67MM? I can’t imagine it’d be very great.
Good pull. Marlins will have to take on some of the contract then.
Yeah, I’d imagine they need to take on anywhere from $100-150MM to get a seriously good return.
There are plenty of teams willing to sign on for a $300MM+ contract. We’ll likely see 2 next winter with Harper & Machado. But those same teams don’t have to gut their farm system to give that kind of money.
I just don’t see a scenario in which a team does both. And honestly, the Marlins may be better off waiting until next winter to move him, when teams who lose out on Harper/Machado are looking for pieces.
Depends on the money MIA is willing to eat. Which of course would be on the back-end of the deal if any at all.
The Marlins will NOT eat that much money. They’d keep him before they’d do that. They can find another way to pay him for 3 years, until he Opts-Out (and if he’s still there, he’ll definitely Opt-Out)
IF they agreed to pay a portion of his salary, it would be in a clause that ONLY kicks in if he “Doesn’t Opt-Out”…..and he stays with that team for the remainder of his contract.
If he chooses to opt-out after 2020………….
Teams would get him for 3/$77 M…….a very fair price for the premier slugger in the NL.
HOWEVER……….
None of what we’re discussing matters much. Stanton has a Full No-Trade Clause. He’s the one who will decide “where he goes”. Prospect haul will not affect HIS decision of whether or not he’s going to waive his right and allow the trade.
He’s In Control…….Nobody Else.
Where are you getting that 3/77 if he opts out? If he opts out, he becomes a free agent.
And if he opts out and only gets 3/77, he would be the laughingstock of the century for leaving $140MM on the table.
Great move. Boras always maximizes his client’s earnings and if getting paid is your goal, he is your guy.
Google is an amazing thing …. According to WEEI.com’s Rob Bradford, Martinez has switched agencies, leaving Bob Garber and RMG Baseball for Scott Boras.
lester gets torched!!!
Famine: Your jibe is Irrelevant (a concept “famine” cannot grasp. I made a respectful request (also beyond “famine”) that they simply connect a with b and mention the previous agency. They have the info right on hand and I see no reason to withhold it.
p.s. Now I know who automatically down votes anything I write here. Grow up.
Sorry not me who downvotes your posts…but I will this one.
Now your at -2
famine: In the light of the new day, I apologize. I was wrong to rise to your taunt and make it personal.
Lester I’ve always enjoyed our somewhat lighthearted back and forth. I would never arbitrarily down vote yours or anyone’s posts. I can see that some people do exactly that…
This tells me he isn’t interested where he plays, its more about the money he makes. It might play a factor, but it’s definitely a back seat to a large amount of cash.
This tells me he’s interested in both and in getting the best deal that suits him and his family.
Thanks davbee that’s what every player should want…
Six years 200-220MM.
That’s my guess.
6/220M is 36M+ per year lol.
I’ll go 6/168 or something
I’ll go 6/$1 this is price is right rules right?
Still too high. He’ll get 6 years between 120-150
Roadapple, is your real name Scott Boras?
Nonsense!
He’ll get between 18-24 million per year for 5-6 years. “Nonsense” was me being nice about how absurd that guess of 200+ for 6 years.
6 200 to 220 is insane no one will sign him for that.
Well, he certainly isn’t coming to Cleveland, so zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Right! Martinez’ price tag just went into the stratosphere. This news probably eliminated more than half the teams who were interested. He’ll probably end in in WAS. Nats love Scott Boras.
I know the Nats love Boras, but they have plenty of outfielders even with Werth leaving don’t they? Harper, Eaton, Taylor, Goodwin, and Robles on the way.
They could do it as a precursor to losing Harper next season kinda like cardinals did with Holliday and pujols.
Not the Cardinals! Zzzzzzz
Hope the Red Sox avoid him now. Theyll definitely have to overpay to get him now that Boras is the negotiator.
Not a worry, given Boston’s team construction JD Martinez was never a viable option. Most of the lineup is set, with 1B being the best place to target. The OF is locked in, and you can’t sign a guy like Martinez for the money he will (deservedly) command and not use him in the field. Some argue that Boston should open a spot in the OF for Martinez, but the team LIKES having high-end defenders there, plus taking a huge defensive hit limits the upside of such a move. Every year Boston is linked to at least a handful of players whom the team is not interested in, and this will be one for the 2017-2018 offseason.
I don’t think the lineup is set by any means. I fully expect someone like JBJ or Devers to be traded this off season.
Highly doubt Devers gets traded he is the guy with the most power potential on the Red Sox at this time they won’t trade away power like that. JBJ might get traded in the right deal but it would have to be a big deal.
I still feel that a jbj trade is likely given the minor league construction sign j.d and trade jbj who has great value for another area of need. Benitendi defensively is kinda wasted put out in lf @ Fenway and defense may not be as important to dombrowski he is the one to originally acquire j.d and also put Cabrera @ 3b longer than he should have for the sake of offense when he signed Prince.
I guess this rules out a return to the D’backs.
Justin Upton says, “Thank You J.D. and goodbye Angels.” My guess is Boras will be looking for a Giancarlo Stanton type package for J.D. He is only 2 years older and could land a 6 year deal rather than the 10 left on Stanton’s. They may need to settle for less than the $28MM average Stanton got but should be able to get close to a 6/$150MM deal with a team in the AL.
That leaves Upton (who’s age is only a few days different that J.D.’s) with a golden opportunity to cash in and lock on an extra 1-2 years over his current 4/$88MM deal. Offensive numbers not as strong but solid defensive numbers will keep him close to the same $$$ as J.D.
I kinda love Boras. These players all want max money and he’s willing to play the villain who delivers. It’s not my money, so I don’t personally care.
Moreover, Boras does a great job of getting deals that cripple franchises and limit their ability to contend. As long as he’s not hurting the Astros, I’m happy for him to be the shark in the water.
On a side note, I’ve heard he has a great investment firm that actually grows his clients wealth. Sarcasm aside, I think this is a critical responsibility for an agent.
The Rangers needs him. Make a deal with them
Boras would be my go to guy as well.
It will be interesting to see where JD lands.
Lets see who wins the most stupid owner contest.
I can never EVER understand players, or the people who support said players, who go to borass. It clearly shows the greed.
I have yet to read even one player say “I’m looking for the highest amount of money”.
They always say b.s. like “what ever is best for my family”.
Or, before leaving their current situation “if they respect me, I would love to stay here because I love playing here”.
It is total bullshiiit.
And for those who say “you wouldn’t leave $1,000,000 per year on the table”.
Um, yes I could and would ESPECIALLY since we are talking about signing for $40,000,000, $60,000,000, $120,000,000 or more.
How much does one really think they can spend or need to spend?
Play where you feel happy because with that much money, what else can/should you really be looking for in life?
I think Greinke admitted he’d go to the highest bidder, but yeah, I get tired of hearing those lines too.
So when your boss offers you a $5,000 raise, I’m sure you turned it down, because what’s the difference between $55,000 and $60,000?
In all seriousness, my family is pretty good friends with one former MLB outfielder, and one former NFL fullback (I’ll spare their names, for their sake).
Both had instances where they held out for more money in free agency. It allowed them to better set up their families for life, as well as give more back to charities they supported.
Why is it so wrong for a player to want to capitalize on his/her skillset?
lol, are you serious?
Dudewaiter, you are comparing a $60,000 yearly salary to a $60,000 PER GAME SALARY…this is beyond silly and you just fully illustrated my point.
Oh, that $60,000 PER GAME is based on $10,000,000 seasonal salary. We all assume JD is going to make more than double that.
So, to my original point. When you make this much, can you leave a million or two on the table in order to be happy?
Scott boras is the mike trout of agents. Don’t be mad at him because he’s good at his job
All this guaranteed money has gotten out of control imo. I love baseball, but I also like how professional golf works too. If the players are not playing well, and they don’t make the cut then they don’t get paid. I know they make lots of money on endorsements also but if you are not playing well then there is no guaranteed money. It is all based on your performance.
J.D. was an indentured servant for six years, he now gets to make up for all the money he lost during those years.
Exactly football and hockey players reach free agency really fast. Baseball players have 6-7 seasons until free agency
He’s as good as gone from the Dbacks. The greedy agent will strike again. Such a shame.
How is Boras greedy?
He’s a talentless POS. He manipulates his clients to leave where they are comfortable. His has a massive ego and that makes him greedy.
You’re just butt-hurt he won’t return Kyle Schwarbers calls…Bazinga
I just looked up greedy. It says “Doing your job better than anybody else”..
How do you know when Scott Boras is lying? When he opens his mouth. Why anyone tolerates him I have no idea. I’d lowball him and let someone else tank their franchise with an overpay.
Boras, eh? That means he’s going to sign with Washington.
Nora’s loves making a fool out of the Cardinals John Mozeliak, president of baseball operations. ( the latest i.e. Was Brett Cecil). Mozeliak over pays and gives big bucks plus a long term deal. Suckers Mozeliak early in the bidding for his less talented Free Agents. Then Boras will use Mozeliak as a bidding tool to drive the price up on other teams. Which usually leave the Cardinals in their usual position. Second place in all major bidding wars. Check the record. Mozeliak is only a dumping ground for Boras, (after Holliday) and a leverage to use toward Boras getting bigger bucks from contending teams.
Who is Nora??? Ha! I meant Boras! Ha!
Awful mistake for JD
Show me da monie$