It has been known for some time that the Red Sox and J.D. Martinez have ongoing interest, with Boston reportedly dangling a five-year offer. In the latest update, Jon Heyman of Fan Rag writes that “acquaintances” of the open market’s top slugger believe Martinez is willing to wait to get a six-year deal — even if it means allowing camp to open without a contract in place.
Dollars remain uncertain, but Heyman provides some round numbers worth noting. Martinez is believed not only to be in search of six years, but at a premium rate of $30MM or more annually. To this point, the level of interest from teams is said to be “somewhere in the $120 million to $150 million range.”
Entering the offseason, MLBTR predicted that Martinez — who ranks second on the MLBTR list of the top 50 free agents — could land that sixth year, but at a $150MM total guarantee. We tabbed the Red Sox as the likeliest landing spot, with a variety of other teams standing as plausible alternatives.
The 30-year-old Martinez has unquestionably established himself as a top-flight hitter, with a .300/.362/.574 output at the plate since the start of 2014. That said, he lags somewhat in his glovework and baserunning. Poor grades from defensive metrics improved somewhat in 2017, though UZR and DRS both pegged Martinez as below-average in right. And Fangraphs has graded him as a notably sub-par presence on the basepaths in each of the past two seasons.
Despite his limitations, Martinez is understandably viewed as a top target. That status leaves significant leverage to work with for his agent, Scott Boras, who has frequently found big money late in the offseason. To date, Carlos Santana and Jay Bruce have each landed at or above MLBTR’s expectations with strong three-year deals, though neither broke through to earn the extra season they were seeking. Martinez and Boras evidently feel there’s still a possibility that they can convince a club to increase the commitment for a higher grade bat.
Heyman’s report indicates that organizations beyond the Red Sox are still in the hunt, which may help explain why Martinez has not been willing to move off his bargaining position. As he has suggested previously, Heyman says at least one other team has put five years on the table. Whether or not that’s the incumbent Diamondbacks is not known, but the report suggests Arizona is a serious suitor.
Still, all indications are that Boston is the most plausible fit. Reporters including Evan Drellich of NBC Sports Boston and WEEI.com’s Rob Bradford have examined things recently from the Sox’ perspective. The organization is obviously willing to plunk down some big cash for Martinez, but to this point has not been willing (or perhaps has not felt compelled) to promise another season. It also may still be factor that the Red Sox would plan to utilize Martinez primarily as a DH, while he’d prefer to play in the outfield.
Boras spin. He’s a one tool player. And what happens if MLB unspikes the ball? 4/80M is as far as I would go.
Even if the ball is juiced, he has still been a great hitter since 2014. It’s just hit power that skyrocketed this year. But still, asking for 6 years of 30mil…. delusional
When you are negotiating, you don’t ask for what you actually expect to get.
you don’t come in with delusional numbers, either
Is it just me or has Boras been doing exactly that with extreme success longer than you have been alive?
Its just you. Go kiss Boras’s rear end. Pucker up
Nah it’s not just him. Come join us in reality.
You don’t have One Fan who agrees with you. There’s Boras and then all the rest.
good one
1 tool players don’t hit for a solid average, draw walks, and they generally strike out a lot.
Well it depends what that one tool is.
I think he’s assuming the one tool is power. JD is more of a 2 tool guy. Contact and power
He’s a good average hitter.
Drawing walks and not striking out aren’t part of the 5 tools referred to. That said he is more of a 2-tool player; power and hitting for average. As for the other 3 tools, speed, fielding, and arm strength, not so much.
he’d still be a top power hitter because everyone would see a drop in homers
Logic isn’t welcome here.
Yeah was wondering why that guy made it sound like jd only benefitted from the juiced balls
Geez Boras just take the 5 years/$150 MM from the BoSox and if you need 6 years then it’s for the same $150 MM. Otherwise, move on and take the 5 years/$120 MM from AZ, SF, or TOR but you’re not going to get anymore than that!
As a Yankees fan, I’d love to see RS get JD.
At any price, or what you consider an overpay?
If the red Sox get him.. At least it won’t be because of a backdoor deal with the herpies king himself Derek “pass it around” Jeter..
Oh Jack Hammer grow up and deal with it
I know this guy is a special talent but a 6 yr 180 mil. contract is going to kill whomever signs him
Does he have a ring and gold glove and speech saved his team? Broke 108 year curse? That guy ?
Are you like 12. Or is that all you got every year about a curse a goat and whatever your childish mind comes up with. Old news and already 2 years have past. Long over son get some new material. Can’t keep using that one.
There has to be a better way to invest $150 million to improve your team than signing a bad defender who really should be a dh.
Check that, $180 million.
True Voice of Reason but hasn’t he made well known his interest in not being strictly a DH and playing in the outfield?
I know money talks but haven’t heard anything different in quite some time so we have to assume he is steadfast in his playing in the field which would negatively effect the RS in the outfield given their current 3 guys.
High octane offense, but you have to play defense too to win, RS have a tough decision to make here.
He has said he is willing to DH. Go back through the articles on this site.
Yep.
Boras is a big reason the free agent market has been so slow this year. He is trying to get very long term contract for players he represent. Most team will not go over 5 years because player are rarely good for over 5 year contracts. I must SMH when I hear Hosmer wants a 8 year deal or a DH OF wants a long term deal. I hope the sox and other teams don’t give into these bad contracts and stay the course.
Ridiculous, The Sox have spent 200+ million on this team to win. They need The power And standing on Ceremony doesnt help that. If their fans are willing to support it they should do it.
Terrible position. You just want to give in and pay whatever players ask for? Sure way to run your team into the ground
Red Sox need to go with the cost-effective, underdog market choice of Steve Trachsel for DH
Lol
Looks like JDM gave you a down vote lol. Then again, could have been Boras. But he’ll want 7 years on that down vote
DD will ruin the bosox. You will see it’s his history. The Tigers now will be you guys soon. No joke ask the Marlins.
No one has signed anything more than a 3 year contract this year. Sorry JD, I don’t see it.
Some team will break
I hope this cold stove is showing that owners aren’t willing to pay big dollars for past performance . I’d give JD 4years for a little over 100mill
Agreed – I don’t see why you’d even want to pay a full-time DH that much.
I’m curious what would happen if Boston signs someone like Duda or Morrison to DH and hit off the bench. Where would Martinez go? Toronto won’t spend that much. Yankees are out. No other AL team will bite because they can’t afford that or are full at DH (Angels, Mariners…) A NL team will be hindered by terrible defense that will get worse as he ages. A team with an opening like the Giants are trying to stay under the luxury tax.
He‘s probably banking on some team getting desperate, unfortunately there’s one with bad management who might blow past the luxury tax for him…cough. Giants. Cough.
Boras probably misses the Giants this year since they have no money to spend. If they had the money most likely they would have over paid him and cain.
I hope the Giants learned their lesson and don’t bite. They have said they want the picks and need to restack their farm. They completely redid their minor league management That’s why they traded for Longoria instead of signing a free agent and aren’t bidding on Cain.
Their farm system is very bad right now with only 3 legit prospects in low minors. Belt bad contract is keeping them down. I expect them to trade Shark if he pitches well and they contend this year. That would relieve a big burden on their payroll which is pretty much tapped out for the next 3 years.
Belt and bad contract don’t belong in the same sentence. 4+ WAR, 4+ WAR, 2+ WAR in 100 games over his last 3 seasons. When he is healthy, he is among the very best.
If they contend, why would they trade a pitcher that puts up 200 innnings? Makes no sense at all.
Span is gone. Pence is gone after this year. No reason to trade away valuable pieces unless they are NOT contending and decide to rebuild.
Bad management? No team has won as much as the giants over the past 10 years, and no teams current front office has been as successful as the giants. Moron.
The hate for Giants here is unbelievable. It’s one thing to dislike a team. and another to lose all objectivity. The Giants are continually bashed for what people think they would do. Look at the Sandoval issue. Some were absolutely sure Sandoval would be given 3B in 2018. Now we have posts like “the Giants will probably be stupid enough to sign JDM” when there is zero indication that they will.
Or “if the Giants had more money the would probably sign both JDM and LoCain” when they are on record as having said they will not sign Cain. It might surprise arc89 to know that there are no Boras clients on the Giants, and haven’t been since 2007 when Bonds left. Robb Nen was the only other Boras client to play in SF.
The last time they won their division was in 2012, which is 6 years ago. They won the WS in 2014 as a wildcard team and were eliminated early in 2016. Considering how often playoffs are a crapshoot winning a WS as a wildcard team (second wildcard team especially) is not that impressive.
They have one of the worst farms in the game and have a bleak financial outcome with so many declining veterans under contract. Their front office also looks down on analytics according to reports.
Yes because GM‘s always tell the whole truth to the media. The Giants may not be interested in Cain now at this price, but will change their minds next month. They gave long term contracts to Cueto, Samardzija, Belt, Pence, Melancon, Span. How many of those contracts look good today? Even in the past they would do this. Remember Barry Zito? Matt Cain‘s extension? They were willing to take on Stanton‘s contract so it’s not unreasonable to expect them to sign JDM if he’s still unsigned in a month. Remember their management still thinks that they’re contenders.
Six years!! No thank you.
If the Red Sox can get him at their price otherwise they shouldn’t lose sleep. The team is young and all the hitters had an off year. Betts, Bradley, Boegarts and Ramirez can beat last year’s production. You also get a full year out of Devers. The problem with the Red Sox is inconsistent pitching.
They would be better off holding their money for the next year’s free agent class if they really want to add a strong, veteran bat.
In the postseason the Sox pitching was inconsistent. But they lost to Astros (who won it all) and their regular season pitching numbers were terrific!
The offense (sans Big Papi) was mediocre and they were last in home runs.
They could use a power bat, but also need the existing hitters to step up.
Einstein
Six years at his age? Buyer beware. History is littered with bad contracts like that.
not worth the money when you cant play defense or play the whole season! move on from this bad player already.
He makes for a fun comparison to Nelson Cruz. It’s going to be interesting as to how much those contracts will differ.
I hope Dombrowski digs his heels in and stays at 5 years, 150 MM or less.
Yes, that is a long time, but it would transition nicely when Benintendi and Devers start to get expensive.
By the end of 2019, the Hanley, Pablo and Porcello contracts ($61+ MM) are coming off the books and Rusney Castillo will only have 1 year left.
Xander and JBJ are not likely to be retained and the high salary deals should be limited to Sale (extension), Betts (extension) and possibly David Price (if he doesn’t OPT out).
If JD insists on 6+ years? Let him take less $ to sign with the Diamondbacks.
I agree. If only 2 teams are offering JD 5 year deals then it’s probably the Sox at 5/$150 MM and Diamondback or Jays offering 5/$120 MM. Either way it looks like JD won’t get more money, so if Boras wants a 6th year the BoSox should just hold their ground and offer 6/$150 which is a yearly rare in line with his other offer. Otherwise JD can give the D’backs a hometown discount and stay with his batting coach in AZ.
Ridiculous, The Sox have spent 200+ million on this team to win. They need The power And standing on Ceremony doesnt help that. If their fans are willing to support it they should do it.
Lol, no way !
IMO the days of long term bad contracts are disappearing….make a note of this bore ass
So do you just hate people who are successful? Boras is the most successful agent in baseball history. So you what? Hate that he gets his players paid? What a joke.
He gets his players over paid. Saddles teams with albatross contracts which hamstring further spending. Manipulates the market to meet his needs. Yes he’s the best agent ever but he’s ruining the game while lining his pockets. And our ticket prices go up and up. So go ahead and sing his praises while you fill his bank account Dodgethis.
6 years/$150 for JD then try like hell to move Hanley (having to eat most of this year’s contract bc they cannot eat money tied into the vesting option for 2019). If (and most likely) DD finds no saps to take Hanley, then he’s going to have to move JBJ (Giants?) and maybe get back some minor league talent. That moves Benny to center (Fenway has THE MOST difficult right to play in MLB so you’re not moving Burke to center). Now JD gets to play “some” left field and we can see whether or not Brentz or Swihart are real major league players by making one of the, the 4th OF in left when JD plays DH… Anyone think that, now that DD avoided the dreaded “3 years over the cap” tax, the Sox might actually give poor old Rusney a shot at the 4th OF position? Gotta give Castillo his due for being so consistent last year hitting over 300 with a little pop and speed … I mean, he didn’t become a PawSox bust after his demotion ala Allen Craig… IMO, when all’s said and done though, unless Price & Porcello return to their prior Cy Young years, and Thornburg & Carson Smith pitch like they did before injuries, even with adding JD, the Sox are still at best, even with Cleveland meaning a Wild Card game against the Angels (Sorry Land of 1000 Lakes fans, it’ll be back to a 90 Loss Twins team again) because whichever team actually gets Cole becomes the favorite to take the Pennant, be it the hated Pinstripers or the reigning champion Astros ….
No way rusney and that awful contract get called up to the big leagues. As long as he’s in Boston, he’s a minor leaguer
He played well at triple A last year and seemed pretty deserving of a call-up, however adding him onto the 40 man would have put Boston over the Lux. tax and it was made very clear they were not going to do that last season.
I think you are totally off base libbo. If Sale and Price pitch like number ones and stay healthy and the rest of the Red Sox staff stays healthy they can win the division again.
I am of a belief that the offense will bounce back. There are plenty of reasons to believe this I’m quite certain Mookie won’t have a .268 babip this year and while I’m sure Boston will deal with injuries I’m also quite certain that Bogey, Benny, and JBJ will be much better this year. I think they will return to a top 10 offense easily this year and that’s without JDM.
The real key to Red Sox is Price and Carson Smith. If they are healthy and pitch all year then Boston’s rotation is as good as anybody’s and there bullpen is as good as anybody’s but if neither of those guys perform then it will be tough.
I am also a believer that John Farrell wasn’t a very good manager. We will see what Cora can do. I am sure the Boston hitters are going to be coached into the fly ball revelation which should help there power.
If the Red Sox don’t sign JDM then there is a chance you will see Rusney at some point this year. Cora coached Rusney in the Winter Leagues and really likes him. I think it is still a long shot but there was zero chance with Farrell at the helm.
This is why the Red Sox can wait JDM out they could pivot and try and add another ace but I’m not sold there are any out there possibly Darvish but he is going to cost a lot. You never know though they may do that if they get fed up with JDM and Boras.
No way ever with rusney. As the gentleman 4eyedcoupe above said, his money would really hurt the luxury tax. He stays in the minors forever.
Yeah, and if the Sox keep him in the minors good luck signing any other foreigners. Free agents take notice and I doubt any player will sign with a team that refuses to call up deserving talant based on tax and contracts. The red sox lack the brand to cut themselves off that way.
The Castillo contract count like 10 mil against the salary cap if they call him up. If they don’t sign anyone he wouldn’t hurt the team much at all. It’s the sunk cost on Pablo that is really hurting them. I do know that Cora likes Rusney so we will see. Last year the Red Sox went under the Luxury tax so they have reset it Rusney shouldn’t hurt that much if they miss on JDM and if in Spring training it appears that he can really help the team or injuries.
Time to move on to cheaper/shorter term option like Joey Batts or Mark Reynolds.
Uh, no thanks on Joey Batts, please. If they balk on picking up JDM, they might as well just settle in and try and field much of the same team they did last year and hope for bounce-back years for all the guys that had great 2016 years like Betts, Bradley Jr, Bogarts, and Pedrioa (once he’s back).
Boston’s key this year is the health of their pitching staff.
This guy has played in more than 123 games in a season only ONCE in his entire career… in what possible scenario should a team commit $30mil/year over 5+ seasons for this guy? Jay Bruce just signed for 3 years, $39mil… not that my opinion matters but I’d offer the guy 3 years, $60mil with two mutual option years after that for like $15-17mil per season. That would be my best offer. Otherwise, I’m signing Matt Holiday who would be a great locker room guy for the young guys in BOS, be A LOT cheaper, and still provide some offense. Then maybe go for a top guy in FA next year that is actually worth the cash. Boras has such a pair of balls, it’s nuts to even ask for this type of cash for a guy like this. I imagine he’s that annoying guy in fantasy sports that picks up a waiver wire guy and tries to trade him for Kershaw… but he makes you think he picked up the next cy young award winner and Kershaw hurt his back a couple times and before you know it, you’re giving him Kershaw and Betts for Tyler Glasnow… except this is real life and he’s getting players worth $15-$20mil for 2-4 years, $30mil over 5+ years… it’s BONKERS, you almost have to respect it. But please, I hope the Sox don’t spend $150mil on this guy. JD Martinez is not the guy that should reshape the market… especially if you’re signing him to be the DH. You already know Boras is leveraging the crap out of the Stanton deal everywhere he goes, CHAOS
“CHAOS” was a very apt finale to this block of text.
The Red Sox can afford to wait. In 2015 Hanley hit 10 HR’s in April and then ran into the wall trying to play the OF. In 2016 as a full time 1B with a healthier left shoulder he hit .286 with 30 HR & 111 RBI. In 2017 his left shoulder problem came back in the spring and required surg. after the season. He claims he hasn’t felt this good in yrs. If a fully healthy Hanley shows up in Feb. the Sox offer may disappear.
I wouldn’t sign him for more than 3-4 years. 6 years at his age is unlikely.
5/135!!
JD would rather play in AZ I reckon. NL. Play the outfield. Great hitters park. No BOS media. Fewer cold weather games. Worth a discount…..I won’t be stunned if he stays a snake.
Arizona doesn’t have the money in the budget to sign him.
JD is how most refer to Josh Donaldson. JDM is how most refer to J.D. Martinez.
Cool
Seeing how we are talking about Martinez and we all know that does this really even matter…nope
5 years 125. Plate appearance option for 6th year in final 2 years of contract (A la Hanley) for 20 mil. Should work for both sides?
How is that good for Boston? To he gets AB’s the last two years. Suppose he stinks then? Then Boston has to pay anyway?
Stick to five years. Let the player walk if he does not like it. So what.
Buyer beware his legs were going out 3 years ago at Detroit. Boris is once again selling a used car with the speedometer rolled back ! LOL
$30 million AAV is stupid for a guy that is 30 years old. He will start declining immediately. That is just the reality of the human body in baseball.
I would go even longeron term, but not more money. Let him have his $150 million, but spread it over 7 years so it has less impact on the luxury tax threshold.
Trade for Kris Davis and make him your DH. He K’s a lot but 40 + 110 RBI and a .245 BA is acceptable.
If they then sign JDM that will be some lineup. JDM plays LF Davis DH
They might at the trade deadline if Hanley is struggling and the Red Sox don’t sign JDM.
Sure Mad… especially for your field box seats that the Red Sox comp’d you this season. Better off hoping for a pair of seats on to of the monster where the premium games against the Yankees, with a lefty Sox starter will be hard to get.
Every year I think this is the year the Boras totally screws over a client by asking for too much for an aging player. Then every year some team caves in. Then a couple/few years later you look back at the deal and then end up being terrible for the team. I just googled “Boras Clients”… This was the first 6 listed…
Prince Fielder.
Jacoby Ellsbury.
Max Scherzer.
Stephen Strasburg.
Shin-Soo Choo.
Chris Davis.
Other than Scherzer and possibly Strasburg (which was an extension), ever other deal ended up being horrible or looking horrible. And I wouldn’t consider them “aging”
As a Yankees fan, I hope he holds out for 6 years/200mil.
As a Red Sox fan that would be a hard pass no chance Boston does that for essentially a DH.
Sox have all the leverage here, even though it is clearly their glaring need. I wouldn’t sign, would rather see what the trade market is in July. There is no way they should miss out on Harper or Machado next offseason.
Without a clean up hitter, the season will be over for the Red Sox at the trading deadline.
“Acquaintances are saying”? Now we’re getting desperate for a story. Sounds like JDM (or should I say Scott Boras) can wish in one hand and “SH.T” in the other and see which one gets filled up first.
And yes the Red Sox can always pick up a pending free agent at the trade deadline, as was mentioned above, for chump change.
It’s puzzling why anyone would think the Red Sox don’t have a cleanup hitter?
I grant that Ortiz has not been replaced but who could fill his shoes? The Red Sox have plenty of pop now even without him. Betts could easily fill that slot if they want to play him there and If they pick up Eduardo Nunez that will give them depth and versatility. It’s likely Benentendi will shine, Bogarts and JBJ will likely have better year’s than last as they are healthy, still young and learning. Devers has a lot of upside. If I were looking for a little extra pop I may pick up Todd Frazier but he’s optional.
If they get rid if Hanley, after 2018, then getting Frazier makes more sense now
And to mikeyank55 I think both the Red Sox and the Yanks will make the playoffs in 2018 and beyond. Both have great teams and I think the Yanks look fantastic. Should be a great rivalry again. What would AL East baseball be without that rivalry? It’s been one of the great rivalry’s for year’s.
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George you can’t even reply to Mikeyank the clown he just trolls never brings anything constructive to the conversation so don’t bother responding he’s a clown.