After months of negotiations, and another weak of final tweaking, the Red Sox have officially signed slugger J.D. Martinez. ESPN.com’s Pedro Gomez first tweeted that a deal was in place; Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports had tweeted that the sides were close. Martinez is represented by the Boras Corporation.
The contract is for five years and $110MM, per reports. Notably, it includes three opt-out opportunities — after the second, third, and fourth seasons of the deal. As Evan Drellich of NBC Sports Boston tweets, Martinez will receive $23.75MM annual salaries for the first two years and is promised a $2.5MM buyout if he opts out of the remainder of the deal. He’ll also earn $23.75MM for the third season of the contract. At that point, he’ll choose between a return to the open market (with no buyout) and $19.35MM salaries for 2021 and 2022.
But that’s not all. The original deal only included two opt-outs and did not protect the Red Sox in the event of injury. After a physical and ensuing additional negotiations, the pact now contains not only a third opt-out but also some language allowing Boston to avoid certain obligations if Martinez’s prior Lisfranc injury recurs, as we detailed here. There’ll also be some limited no-trade protection, as Heyman tweeted originally. Martnez can designate a “small” number of teams to which he cannot be moved without his consent.
Boston has been the primary suitor connected to Martinez for virtually all of the offseason — especially since their decision to re-sign Mitch Moreland effectively took them out of the Eric Hosmer sweepstakes. Martinez figures to slot in as the primary DH for the Sox but should see some occasional time in the outfield when any of Andrew Benintendi, Jackie Bradley or Mookie Betts needs a breather. His addition calls the role of Hanley Ramirez with the Red Sox into question, as Ramirez now appears to be, at best, a backup DH and a part-time first baseman that is on the short side of the platoon.
[RELATED: Updated Red Sox Depth Chart]
Though the Sox have a substantial commitment to Ramirez already in place, that didn’t stop them from making a sizable offer to bring Martinez into the fold, and it’s not difficult to see why they felt he was a key piece to pushing into World Series contention. Martinez slashed a Herculean .303/.376/.690 with 45 home runs and 26 doubles in just 489 plate appearances last offseason. In all, an out-of-the-blue breakout with the 2014 Tigers, Martinez has been one of the game’s most feared hitters — as evidenced by the .300/.362/.574 batting line he’s logged in that four-year period.
Context-neutral metrics like OPS+ (149) and wRC+ (148) feel that the 30-year-old Martinez has been nearly 50 percent better than the league-average hitter in that time, when adjusting for park and league. That 148 wRC+ ties him with Bryce Harper and now-former teammate Paul Goldschmidt for fourth in all of baseball over the past four years; only Mike Trout, Joey Votto and Giancarlo Stanton have posted better wRC+ marks in that time.
The Red Sox ranked 10th in the Majors in runs scored last season as it was, though their combined .258/.329/.407 batting line was below-average on a rate basis, and they ranked 27th in the Majors with 168 homers. Martinez will serve as a particularly potent upgrade in the DH department, as Boston designated hitters combined to hit just .244/.327/.419 last year.
Clearly, the contract isn’t quite as massive as many had anticipated coming into the season. Martinez’s camp was said to be seeking over $200MM at the outset of free agency; MLBTR predicted that Martinez could reach $150MM in guaranteed money. As things developed, there just wasn’t sufficient demand around the game to drive a real bidding war. The Diamondbacks reportedly made a real run to keep Martinez, but never figured to have a war chest large enough to really push Boston’s offer up.
Martinez’s new deal also reflects a broad devaluation of one-dimensional sluggers. For instance, Edwin Encarnacion — an equally gifted hitter who became a free agent last year at a more advanced age — did not earn as large or long a deal as had been expected.
To be fair, Martinez offers more function on defense than does Encarnacion, as he’s still capable of lining up in the corner outfield. But metrics have soured on his glovework. Though both UZR and DRS viewed Martinez as an above-average presence in 2015, they graded him as one of the game’s worst fielders in the ensuing campaign. He bounced back last year, but still drew below-average marks in right field. Fangraphs’ BsR measure also values Martinez as an exceedingly poor baserunner.
Those aspects of Martinez’s game created some drag on his market value. But the Sox surely aren’t that concerned with how good Martinez will be in the outfield. Presumably, he’ll stay fresh by limiting his exposure to the grass, which may boost his output when he is asked to take the field. Regardless, the contract values Martinez for his anticipated contributions with the bat.
Contract details were reported by Alex Speier of the Boston Globe (contract length; Twitter link), ESPN.com’s Pedro Gomez (opt-out clause, on Twitter), Jon Morosi of MLB Network (total guarantee, via Twitter), Jon Heyman of Fan Rag (salary in first two years & second opt-out, via Twitter), Jason Mastrodonato of the Boston Herald (second opt-out details), and Evan Drellich of NBC Sports Boston (second opt-out details; Twitter link).
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
JUST DINGERS BABY
Wow
Sweet damn!!!!!
5/125M my guess
about time
Damn
Duh
Good. Maybe now he will make the Sox roster in MLB 18 The show!
That’s why I always wait until the week after opening day to get the game, updated rosters.
BOOOM
Who could have seen this coming
Stevie wonder could see this coming. Sorry old joke
oh mercy.. please don’t get rid of JBJ now..
Please DO NOT SIGN JD Martinez, there are better and cheaper options out there and besides I think the team will rebound from last year with more HRs.
Little late there buddy
They won’t
the arms race is back on!
Wow I’m happy to this happen. J.D Martinez is a good guy.
Wow. Maybe there will be a parade.
Does he still hate the Red Sox like was previously reported? Hard to say either side lost when talking 110 million$ but I’m sure Borass was disappointed. He was dreaming when seeking 7 year 200 ballpark ish like contract
Boras got what he was looking for with high AAV in first 2 seasons and then an opt out. JDM is going to jack 30-40 with 70+ XBH in Fenway and get more in 2 years.
Now the Yankees need to go sign Lynn or Arrietta
No money
Have like 18 million I’m pretty sure
Leaves no room for in season improvements
If only we could get rid of stupid Ellsbury. The dudes at best the teams 5th outfielder behind Judge, Stanton, Gardner, and Hicks. Frazier would probably be the most likely moved but he’s not making what JE is.
Haha Ellsbury, the guy you so wanted to take from us.
no they dont
They will.
God no, they should pass. Particularly since they received QOs. Should pass on Arrieta altogether.
What a surprise
Took them long enough. Everyone do you think the red sox should sign Alex cobb or arrieta. Also do you guys like this signing
Good signing at a good price.
don’t go after “frontline” starters. focus on depth.
I think you meant “took HIM long enough”. Boston knew the market and his worth, but he (like so many other FAs this offseason) were still learning about the new reality for older players in a sport increasingly dominated by youth. He held out as long as was reasonable, and now he clearly has accepted the situation (while opening up flexibility to get the deal he wanted all along in two years, which is fair).
Yes,pitching!
Sale, healthy Price, Porcello, Pomeranz, and Wright. Do you see a need for Arrieta or Cobb? Especially since either will cost $20 million AAV.
HEALTHY is the big thing though!
Moreland/Ramirez platoon probably
I think we look at who’s hot after spring training to get the nod at first. But my guess is that Hanley is ready to go. He’ll play a lot of first with Moreland backing him up, maybe a little bit of platoon.
My guess is Sox will try to keep Hanley under the 497 plate appearances to make his option vest.
I think Moreland was brought in to make Hanley work if he hits like he’s capable of he’ll get that 497 if he doesn’t Moreland starts. Hanley knows what he’s worth now on fa market and that option is a significant upgrade to that.
This one actually makes a lot of sense.
Fine bat for Boston, just as long as he’s a full time DH after this year.
But but but but but I though he was done with them
This comes out as the least surprise of the off-season.
Congrats Boston. May the NYY/BOS rivalry extend to next year and beyond.
I hope so hasn’t felt like a real rivalry in a long time maybe 04.
Its a 5 year deal
It is really a 2 year deal, just like the Hosmer deal is really a 5 year deal.
Still not even close to be as good as Yankees !!!! but they can try
Hahah someone’s nervous.
You saw what happened to Judge once the league saw him a second time.
Uh, you do know that he ended the season on an absolute tear, right?
9 hits in October is an absolute tear?
Was talking about the regular season. In the post season, he had a dreadful ALDS and a great ALCS. Also, simply going by hits is terrible logic. What if 7 of the 9 hits were home runs? That would be a good thing, wouldn’t it? Of his 9 hits, 4 were home runs and 3 were doubles. All hits are not created equally.
If. If. If.
A true Yankees homer.
Weak teams
Impossibly sustainable .426 first half BABIP. Struggles against above average pitchers, especially power pitchers. Hence the inept playoff showing. Picked it up in September facing a steady diet of minor league call ups. There’s enough bad pitching to go around for him to still hit .240.
And you saw what he did once he saw them a third time in September
.211 from mid-June to mid-September. Then he got to hit against all the call-ups, back-end starters, schlubs, schmoes, and a few over the hill guys and he crushed them from September 15 to the end of the season.
Ynoa 0-2, Hellickson 0-2, Jiminez 1-4, Santana 1-4 with solo HR, Berrios 2-4, Colon 1-3 with 2 run HR, Estrada and his 5.00 ERA 2-2, Biagini 1-4, Stroman 2-4 with solo HR, Junis of KC 2-4 with solo HR, Snell 1-3, Andriese 1-2, Faria 1-4 with solo HR, Biagini 1-3, Stroman 1-3 with solo HR.
I only included HRs against the starters. You would not recognize the names of most of the relievers. Guys like Tepera who gave up 2 HR to Judge in 2 AB.
That is not what Vegas is saying.
Hellllllll yeeaaahhhhhh!!! Ok haters let’s hear it. Tell me how this is a bad move. Huge addition and will instantly help raise the rest of the lineups stats. Huge year from Mookie coming.
I bet he signed for millions.
Hot take.
Overpay
Yes big overpay
Dumb comment.
Stanton was yes.
5 years, 2 year opt out
Thank god. Took them long enough. Like the 5 years, keeps both sides happy. Really hoping they didn’t go higher then $25mil per year. He’s a DH, not a center fielder.
The worlds longest staring contest is finally over. Someone get these guys some visine
Boras smartly made contract opt out in 2 years because when Harper and Machado both getting ~$400M is going make this contract dirt cheap in comparison—
Wonder at this point who gave in more to make it happen.
Looks like JDM did. This seems pretty close to the offer that was rumored like 2 months ago.
ESPN’s Buster Olney retweeted a source that claims the Red Sox increased their offer in the last 48 hours:
twitter.com/Buster_ESPN?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ct…
Nice find, muskie73. For those who can’t click links
Buster Olney’s tweet says:
“$125 million dollar rumor was wrong. Red Sox always offered 5 for $100M and upped the money within the last 48 hours”
The opt outs in years 2 and 3 and $60 million guaranteed in first 2 years with signing bonus is better than $25 million AAV the Red Sox offered before. There is a reason that Olney readership is in the toilet, he is rarely correct.
So does this mean we aren’t going to get our daily JDM update?
Lol
Finally. We all saw this coming but at least we don’t have to watch this stupid game of chicken go on any longer.
Surprise, he signed with the Red Sox. Anybody with a pulse knew this was inevitable with only a one team market.
EXCELLENT
Nice to see my sox finally making a move. Hopefully this can keep us with the Yankees and maybe make it past the alds for once.
Get rid of Ramirez now
Nope. They need Ramirez. Love him or hate him they need him to have a good year. It’s a contract year for him and now there’s some protection for him. Could have 30/100.
It’s not actually a contract year, he has a vesting option. If Ramirez gets at least 497 PA then he’s guaranteed 22 million.
The JD signing virtually guarantees Ramirez wont be getting those ABs. He also wont hit 30/100. He will sit bench, pout and whine.
“He will sit bench, pout and whine.”
Is there another team that could use him if the Sox ate enough of the deal?
My guess is another team would have to eat most of the option if it vests. but I doubt another team would do that.
HanRam is a major league pouter/whiner
To all of the above, if HanRam is healthy, being the primary 1bman is his job to lose. His offensive upside is superior to Moreland who will still get plenty of ABs due to injuries, tough righties, normal resting of players and going into games as a defensive replacement.
I think that now makes the Red Sox having the highest payroll. Yet no one wants to say they’re trying to buy championships. Only when the Yankees sign someone.
Get over yourself n your ego. Typical NYer
Ding Ding.. after the Stanton trade Sox fans were saying that exact thing. Look at the Sox contracts on the books compared to the Yanks.
The Red Sox committed far less to new contracts compared to the Yankees this offseason.
5 year 110 million with opt out after 2 years. Amazing
red sox regret all major free agent signings: Hanley, Panda, Price and Castillo. JD the next big Red Sox flop?
Don’t forget Crawford.
i always forget about him he was so forgettable
but in all fairness he became the Dodgers problem
Price was not a Bad signing, it could be very good. He regrets what happened with EK on the plane n that is an admirable quality. Panda n Crawford were the horrific signings.
5/110. Not bad
Front loaded with opt out, so unless he falls off a cliff this is really something like a 2/$50m deal.
This
Plus the $ 10 mill signing bonus
For the same $110 that has been on the table
If that’s true Borass got beat
Only $100M was on the table.
Boras never had $125M (completely fabricated report) and BoSox upped offer within last 48 hours $100M to $110M to “seal” the deal.
twitter.com/Buster_ESPN?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ct…
Just my guess, but When they upped offer from $100 to $110, it was probably in the form of that sweet $10 million Signing bonus.
Player opt out after year 2 and 3, nicee. Boras wins, dude.
He only threw $210M out there because it’s part of his negotiation “game”
Sorry, meant to post this link to the Buster Olney tweet: twitter.com/Buster_ESPN/status/965719989633286144?…
In that same twitter link is says this:
“JD Martinez originally wanted $210 million over 7 years,…” Bob Nightengale
Yeah I didn’t link the actual tweet in my first post. (My bad)
But here’s link to Nightengale’s tweet you were referring to.
twitter.com/BNightengale/status/965721495916961792…
Great guy wish him well !
With ortiz retired, the sox needed a bat.
Great guy !! Wish him well
Dammit, Stanton vs Jd coming to a ball park near New York and Boston
Hope they checked him out for PEDs
This is a fair deal. Hosmer got paid. As has everyone else. The collusion storyline needs to be replaced with smarter analysis of the market.
This
The 89 six year players that were on season-ending MLB rosters do not agree with you.
JD Martinez Defense is the biggest concern.
JD posted -5 DRS, -13.1 Def, -7.7 UZR, 2 teams in 2017.
2016 Defense #’s nightmare: -17.2 UZR and -22 DRS.
fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=6184&posit…
Defensive issues notwithstanding, I still think this contract will look like a steal because of Harper/Machado potential 2018 earnings, and think an opt out after 2019 by JD is all but guaranteed, barring injury. Boston did well to protect themselves making the opt out a year later— after that historic 2018 FA offseason.
Won’t have to play much defense as the DH
I would think the biggest concern is that he’s played more than 125 games all of once in his career
Figured an AL team would get him. No NL team besides the D-Backs were gonna sign him for a long term deal, especially since he’s not that great a defender. Owners learned from previous players and their long term contracts
Opt out after 2 and $60 million in first 2 years including the signing bonus. Nice deal for JDM.
2/50 nice deal for Boston.
WEEI is reporting that the 1st 2 years are $25 million salary, the 3rd year is $22 million, the last 2 years are $14 per and there is a $10 million signing bonus. For CBT purposes it’s the same, but when it comes to when he earns the money it’s entirely different. If he opts out after 2 years, he gets $60 million guaranteed.
Now THIS is frontload. (Not like Hosmer 20M to 13M)
$60M first 2 years (counting $10m Signing bonus)
$14M per year, last 2 years.
Opt out after Year 2 &3. Red Sox did it right.
2 opt outs in the first 2 years per the article.
However, I would not want to go against harper and company.
After years 2 and 3 I thought it said.
It is reported everywhere JD opt-out is after year 2 or 3
Good signing n good money. I thought it would be a bit more years n time. But being front loaded with an opt after 2 makes sense 2/50 25 a year.
Good for Red Sox
This does leave Logan Morrison and others available for the White Sox. Now that Corey Dickerson has been DFA’d, he’d be my first choice because he is younger than Morrison, Lucas Duda and Carlos Gonzalez among the left-handed FA power bats. Former White Sox switch-hitter Melky Cabrera might also be a good DH option if he were amenable to a contract that was no more than two years in length.
The J.D. Martinez signing should also put to rest any rumors of Jose Abreu going to the Red Sox which is fine by me. Reports out of spring training suggest that an Abreu extension is looking more likely than any trade for the slugging first baseman.
Catch up with your FO. They are 2-3 years away at least from competing. That’s if these “prospects” realize their potential. It would be counter intuitive to sign any big free agents this offseason or next. Also, keep in mind, the south side has NEVER been a desirable destination for top free agents in their prime. In fact, even when they were “all in” they couldn’t attract top free agents. In the midst of a rebuild, that would be even harder for them. There are no guarantees, MANY have tried what the Cubs and Astros accomplished, FEW have done it.
With that in mind, Hahn should ABSOLUTELY move Abreau and Garcia. If not now, certainly at the deadline. Do you really think Jerry is gonna sign off on an extension for Abreau in the midst of a rebuild? No chance. They can’t draw fans when they are winning, they certainly aren’t gonna draw fans in a rebuild. You probably already know, JR likes nothing more than money.
An NL East title for the Rays just got a bit more difficult.
I’d say there’s no chance it happens.
If it’s one in a million, there’s still a chance.
To be honest, I think its more likely they contract the Rays than move them to the NL
Yeah I don’t think there’s a one in a million chance
They’re contracting themselves.
Khris Davis> J.D.
Lol that’s not what stats show.
if you are looking in the power department, than yes, Khris Davis>JDM
I thought JDM said he was not going to sign with Bosox for that offer? Guess he and Boras caved in pretty quick
No, I think he realized this was the best he was going to get.
If JD has a monster year, in year 1 or 2, opt out, and hit again.
IF not, get the 110 mil.
he waited months to sign, don’t see this as him caving quickly
Lol
So much for everyones extreme guestimates
…still not sure he is worth even this much tho, to be honest
YES! Finally the TR notification I’ve been waiting (so long) for.
Well done Dave.
It is a fair deal all around. The Red Sox get their bat and a front loaded contract. It is $25 mil per the first two years and $20 mil the last three, assuming he doesn’t opt out. The Ramirez, Panda and Castillo contracts all start falling off in 2019 and 2020. They can then shift the money to extending Devers, Boegarts, Betts and Benintendi. Of course who knows what the future of their rotation will be but is pretty safe to say Price and Porcello will not be retained when they are up.
Guesses in the next 2 weeks
Arrieta-Brewers
Holland-Nats
Bautista-Blue Jays
Morrison- Twins
Moustakas-Padres?
Lucroy-Nats
Lynn-Cards
Any other big FA I’m forgetting?
Depending on your definition of big: Alex Cobb, Neil Walker, Carlos Gonzalez, Lucas Duda, Melky Cabrera and maybe Corey Dickerson if he doesn’t get claimed or traded for while in DFA limbo.
Corey Dickerson can’t become a free agent, he can only be optioned to triple A
Do you know how many option years remain for Corey Dickerson? This site hasn’t posted its Out of Options tracker yet for 2018. Last year’s was posted in mid-March.
If Dickerson does have remaining options and doesn’t get traded this week (1o days from his DFA last Saturday) he will be exposed to a waiver claim. It’s hard to fathom another team not claiming him after the 10 day DFA period has expired. If Dickerson somehow manages to clear waivers I believe the Rays will still be responsible for 1/6 of his $5.95MM arbitration salary, close to $1MM. Do you believe the “stingy” Rays will flat out release him (making him a FA) or option him to AAA and pay him almost $1MM dollars to do so?
Dickerson will NOT become a free agent, ZERO chance. The Marlins wouldn’t even be that stupid, the Rays certainly aren’t. They are just manipulating a roster spot on the 40 man.
Twins have Mauer at 1B. Blue Jays have moved on from Bautista ! Padres have finished spending money! Cards
are going with the young pitchers!
5/110!! Nice DD!! Now get Cobb 2/24m
These “overpaid” comments are so hollow. Get a new line. You aren’t a GM. Hosmer is overpaid, Martinez is overpaid, Machado and Harper will be overpaid. This just in, if you want an all star caliber player, you have to…overpay. Or you can sign your favorite players like Todd Father, LoMo, Yonder, Morrow, etc and say you got a good deal, when in fact you got a mediocre player for a mediocre price. Hell, Jake McGee got 9 mil a year.
Dang. Congrats Sox fans.
Beware Green Monster!
Boston won imo. they got their guy at a reasonable price and if he opts out after the 2nd season then fine. let him walk.
And if J.D. Martinez bombs (I hope he doesn’t), the Red Sox could be on the hook for $20 million annually for his age 32, 33 and 34 seasons.
Each side assumes risks.
The other piece you are missing Muskie is starting next year the other albatross contracts start falling off. By 2020 Pablo, Hanley and Rusney Castillo’s contracts fall off the books. Assuming Martinez doesn’t opt out after 2020 the DH role will open up so if the Red Sox want to keep him healthy for the remaining 3 years they can put him there. It is a low risk deal.
yes. based on his age ANY contract comes with a level of risk. however it’s a 5 year deal with an annual average salary of $21 mil. considering what Boras wanted and what was speculated the Sox initially offered it looks like the Sox got their man at the price they wanted. the two year deal gives the Sox 2 years of what should be near 2017 level performance. it also gives them a year period top strengthen the offense and prepare should JD opt out after 2 years. I’m a yanks fan and i feel like the Sox won that battle.
Five years at $110 million produces an AAV of $22 million.
Great signing! I had about given up hope, but with everyone healthy they could be a very good team if the pitching pans out. I wonder what was wrong with Porcello last yr? You think he was hurt?
Porcello’s Cy Young season is the outlier. He’s better than last year, but he is more a 3 or 4, an innings eater type.
Both sides win this deal IMO. JD should be happy he gets 110 mil guaranteed here with two opportunities to opt out…
Can the red sox offer him a QO if he opts out.
No you can’t offer a QA on an opt out
It looks like they can offer him a QO after he opts out. In this mlb trade rumor article, Tanaka was eligible for a QO if he opted out.
mlbtraderumors.com/2017/08/forecasting-the-free-ag…
Wrong. You can. Tanaka was eligible for QO if opted out
You can’t offer a QO to any player who received QO before, in the past. No exceptions.
This is why Justin Upton wasn’t eligible for one, had he opted out with the Angels.
This is why Tanaka was still eligible to receive QO by NYY, if he opted out. Tanaka never got a QO before.
True – Your right xabial & mlbfan – I was thinking he already received an QO = Your right
Np. I didn’t mean to single you out, just gotta stop the spread of false information at it’s tracks.
This was biggest surprise in “New QO rules” implemented probably due to situations like Howie Kendrick (32, at time) rejected a $15.8MM QO, to resign 2 years $20MM with Los Angelos Dodgers — to add insult to injury, Kendrick’s contract included two years of deferrals, for a total of $5 million per year for four years— Best example why new QO rule prohibits players from QO’d twice.
The “NATIONAL MLB TRADE RUMORS NIGHTMARE” is Ovah !!!!!!
After 4 months of speculation and talk of a $200M deal it’s OVAH !!!!!
And for reportedly 5/$110M AAV $21M.
I like the opt outs for both team and player.
This creates incentives for a player to produce every year.
So I have to assume Hanley or JBJ is toast.
If I had to guess I would say it will be Hanley.
They could let Hanley just wither on the vine too and cut him after 2018.
Hanley, if he stays, may get some limited use against lefties as Benintendi hits poorly against lefties.
So what a terrible year for free agents.
The highest AAV so far is Upton and now JDM at $21M AAV.
CORRECTION …. $22M AAV
Opt outs never favor a team ! Only the player!
Huge deal for DD and the Sox 2 year 50 million was looking for 210 million will hit 40 easily even going on the DL in Boston and give protection to Betts Pedroia and even Ramirez. All they gave up to get a top 5 hitter in baseball was money Great signing!!!!!
The man can hit. As a Yankees fan, there’s very little to rejoice over this, and kudos to Red Sox FO for waiting Boras out.
Does this make him the highest paid DH ever?
Unless you want to consider Pujols a DH, then yes. But pure DH wise, he’s making nearly $10 million more than Ortiz did in a year (Ortiz’s highest yearly pay: $16 million. JDM’s highest yearly pay: $25 million).
“Martinez slashed a Herculean .303/.376/.690 with 45 home runs and 26 doubles in just 489 plate appearances last offseason.”
Imagine what he could do during the season.
Excellent!
Pretty good bargain for the Red Sox. Fenways going to kill his HR production since he hits LD to LF and his power is to their death valley in RCF
That said he can hit and will be deadly in YS3
He hits to all fields and RC in Comerica cannot be confused with Yankee Stadium.
Nothing will inspire a player to perform like the threat of professional extinction. I fully expect Hanley Ramirez to have a near-MVP type season now that JD Martinez is encroaching on Hanley’s territory. My guess is Moreland will be the loser in this scenario.
It will be hard to be MVP while sitting on the bench. Sox wont let the option vest.
Why don’t you think Moreland will feel professional extinction as well?
This is a prototype deal.
It creates incentives to produce for many
So the Red Sox luxury tax number is about $60 million higher than the Yankees.
Where are the cries that the Red Sox are ruining baseball?! :p
While I frequently complain about the payroll disparity, I do not blame the Yankees. It is MLB’s fault. But really is it THAT rewarding to win against unfair odds????????
Yes
The Padres should learn how to do things from the Red Sox
The Redsox got there man. treat him right or back to the DL it is.
Another sign of the unfair gap between big and small market teams. The Rays just dumped $5.9 mil for salary relief while the Red Sox will dump that Hanley contract to the bench. The Rays could never do that.
Then get a better owner.
And get better fans that pay money to see their games.
Or become a Red Sox or NYY fan
Do you watch baseball? The last 3 World Champions are the Astros, Cubs & Royals. Small market teams with owners/front offices that know what they’re doing. The Rays will never have that.
The Astros
and Cubs are not small market clubs at all !
Since now he’s going to be primarily a DH I don’t see injuries being much of a factor. I see 35 HR for next season unless Devers has a breakout rookie season then it might be 45 because JDM will then see more pitches, given that the Yankees got Stanton this wasn’t a luxury deal for the Sox they had to get it done. Now a replacement for Addison Reed would be next and adding rotation depth if I was Dombrowski. That probably won’t happen until the trade deadline though.
Should make the AL East even more interesting. Let’s play ball!!!
Will the ALEast represent the American League in the World Series for the second time in nine seasons?
Early best bet would be on the Astros.
good one, muskie73,
With 3 divisions 3 times in 10 years sounds like parity to me..
On the topic of defensively limited right-handed hitters best-suited for the designated hitter slot …
J.D. Martinez is five months younger today than Hanley Ramirez was when the Red Sox signed the latter to a four-year, $88 million contract with a vesting option for a fifth year.
Martinez has posted 6.0 bWAR and 5.6 fWAR in 239 games over the past two seasons while Ramirez had posted 8.9 bWAR and 8.5 fWAR in 214 games in the two season before he signed with Boston.
You never know how these free agent contracts will play out.
To those saying he’ll be hurt … He’s going to be the DH. That will help immensely. He’ll be much healthier and without playing the field he could be a better hitter. Not better than last year, but careerwise. Last year was his peak.
Just hope he adapts to DHing. Some players find it easy. Others don’t.
I admit I was not a fan of the Sox chasing Martinez when numbers like $150-$200 million were flying around, but how could anyone not like this deal? Best case scenario, Its a 2 year $50 million dollar deal. I think if J.D. has a typical 2018, the Sox will assume he will opt out after 2019, and still look at the free agent market next year.
Worst case scenario, its a 5 year $110 million deal.
Either way, with Hanley and Pablo coming off the books in coming years this should not handicap the Sox if they decide they are interested in the 2018 free agent class. However, I think this roster is pretty full for some time:
Whole infield is in place for at least 2 years now with Moreland.
Whole outfield is accounted for for a few more years and Martinez can play out there if need be
The Sox only absolute need in coming years will probably be innings at the back end of the rotation and bullpen help. Pretty good place to be when you just won the division last year.
Obviously getting an extension done for Sale has to be high up on that priority list too.
Sox are set for a while for sure
The worst-case scenario for Hanley Ramirez — who like J.D., Martinez was 30 years old when he signed with Boston — would be a five-year, $110 million contract if the option vests.
Yes an extension for Sale would be ideal but not likely as he will be a free agent in 2020 so goodbye Sale.
That’s why they need to focus on starting pitching.
And let’s not forget Kimbrel will be gone in 2019 so a good closer is a must next year.
Their best bet would be to draft well so they can have some trade chips to get a younger version of Kimbrel for less money.
Imagine if they DFA’d Hanley
Not likely as they did that with Pablo and still have to pay him.
Hanley is a much classier player.
It’s an awful lot of money to a man who can’t play defense and only once has played over 125 games. But then again, it’s not as horrible as it could have been.
I bet the Red Sox will regret this contract, but at least it’s not so bad that I know they will regret this contract.
Pay attention league, this is the kind of production you pay for in the outfield. You don’t pay for corner outfield defense, you pay for a difference making slugger. A guy on a minor league roster can give you some solid defense, yet Heyward was paid 180M for it.
A guy in the minors can’t give you 35+ homers and 120+ RBIs right away… plenty of minor leaguers have great defense but not much else. The truly elite players either can rake major league pitching like JD or strike major league hitting like JD…you pay up for hitters and pitchers like that which don’t grow in trees
So apparently I agree with you is what I’m saying ha…but not on Heyward cause his bat was screwed up by our couching staff and hasn’t lived up to that contract mostly
Yeah, I was confused there for a second. I’d rather have a guy with a game changing bat and average/bad D than the other way around. In the outfield corners at least, it’s easier to hid a player with bad D.
Yeah i agree, I didn’t read your comment correctly at first..my bad lol
So many people want to tear down a players offensive abilities by degrading their defensive abilities and vice-versa…absolute sluggers and absolutely pitchers will always be at a premium price
Heyward plays exceptional defense. There may be one other guy in his class. He was coming off a very good offensive year, .293/.797 when he was signed and had hit 27 HRs in a season before. He was expected to be both an exceptional defender and a good offensive player. The offense disappeared after the Cubs signed him.
He’s always been a gold glover for sure, but the Braves staff never let him define if he was a #3, #5 or a leadoff hitter and he never got in a groove. No surprise the offense never showed up cause it was already heading out the door…
The Cubs haven’t done much better with defining Heyward’s role on offense either. Much of the blame needs to be directed at micro-manager Joe Maddon and his cockamamie batting orders.
As an example, “Genius” Joe decided that the freshly signed Heyward would make for a fine #2 hitter to begin his Cub career, this despite him having little experience or success in that role previously. What was more head scratching was that the Cubs had also signed FA Ben Zobrist that same offseason who had been one of MLB’s best #2 hitters, including those spent with Maddon back in his days in Tampa. Heyward was atrocious in a role he had no business being put in. This was hardly a first for Maddon either. He did something similar with Kyle Schwarber last season when he asked a prototypical middle of the order power hitter to bat in the leadoff spot. To make matters worse, he also decided to use Zobrist in the cleanup role to allegedly to protect Anthony Rizzo, yet another failed attempt at putting a good hitter in the wrong slot.
Plus having a pitcher bat 8th. Maddon is so overated !
He’s never been right in my opinion ever since he was hit in the face by a pitch, ironically by a Cubs pitcher. Watching him hit it looks like he expects every pitch to be the next one that gets him in the chops.
I may be way off but to me he looks jittery and nervous at the plate.
Isn’t JD gonna DH?
hmmm
Wow. Changes everything
Still don’t think this is enough to draw in interest with the fan base. There’s not many people caring about the Sox right now in the area. Dombrowski pushed a lot of people away by saying he didn’t even try to get Stanton, which is the move the fans wanted.
Put down the pipe. Have you tried to get a ticket lately? The Red Sox TV ratings are going up so fast that I cannot afford to buy TV time there. Tickets will be sold out before the season starts.
Well the stands are almost full now it’s hard to imagine fans getting pissed at a winning team.
No fan wanted DD to trade a regular off the roster plus prospects to bring in an ARod 10 year contract.
Now that DD is finally in the mood to prepare for the season. We need to trade Bradley, Moreland and prospects for Votto. Votto is the best available 1B. I’m not high on Myers so to become a team with a classic offense where the corners are power hitters and you are strong up the middle we need to either move Devers to 1B and get Donaldson or get Votto. Both moves add payroll but they complete the offense and with the additional power lefty we should enjoy trips to Yankee stadium more.
So here’s the new line-up
2B Nunuz
RF Betts
1B Votto
LF JD Martinez
CF Benintendi
SS Bogaerts
3B Devers
DH Ramirez for now (then Pedroia when he’s back)
C Leon/Vasquez
With the two top of the rotation guys we are in great shape for the post season.
It would really be great if Wright could come back to his old form and Porcello looks closer to 2016 than 2017. Price will be fine and Sale is still the best. Pomerantz is a solid 3rd starter and should get better.
So Dave, please consider making us a more classical team with a power hitting good fielding 1B and 3B and lets stay strong up the middle with Bogaerts Pedroia/Nunez and Benintendi. Bradley would look good in a Cincy uniform!! This deal would free up money for them going into a big free agent year but I don’t realistically think they would part with Votto. That’s why I like moving Devers to 1B and getting Donaldson. We need another ‘clutch” player with a strong passion for winning.
Getting JDM should show FanGraps project 97-98 wins for Bos now vs. 93 prior to JDM.
This is going to be a good race with the NYY in 2018.
Can’t wait.
JD certainly signed for what would have been considered under market just a couple of years ago. Not only have one dimensional players been devalued, but the lack of teams buying in the free agent market really hurt JD’s value. The other factor here is analytics. The math showing player decline as one ages has got teams really hesitant to offer large contracts to guys who should be in their prime. The opt outs in JD and Hosmer’s contracts as well as significant front loading of their contracts might end up being the new norm. Will be interesting to see if this trend continues the next couple of years as some pretty big free agents hit the market.
Still, happy for JD. As a Tiger fan we watched him get picked up from Houston and just start hitting dingers in Toledo before coming up, and then continue his torrid hitting on the big club. Boston fans will love him.
JDM got two opt-outs, a partial NTC, and $60 million guaranteed when he opts out after 2 years. Is that considered below market value? For a DH, that seems like a great deal.
DD stuck it to Scott Boras. High five!
High five!
They are paying him most as much as Yankees are paying Stanton over next two years with both having opt outs. Boras just got a DH 25 mil a year for next two years. Who got bent over?
Yes but the Yankees had to give up prospects too which does have value. The Red Sox did really well considering they got there man on there terms and didn’t bid against themselves also let’s not forget Boras was asking 200 million at the start of this.
Looks like the Yankees will also be paying Stanton to primarily DH. Unlike how Martinez’ contract is structured, Stanton’s escalates for a few years in annual cost. Along with the 7 years that would remain it’s much more likely he doesn’t opt out. Not to mention he’ll be a three year DH by that point. His potential suiters will be very few.
He will get his share of right field besides DH. Judge and Stanton will platoon right field and DH. Stanton can play the field unlike JD. I’m not expecting Judge to be like his first half of year last year and Stanton hasn’t faced AL pitchers yet so he will probably be down a bit also. If Stanton sees Harper and Machado rake in big contracts he may opt out in a couple of years if he has monster season. I think according to Red Sox standards in contracts it’s quite a bit more than they ever paid Pappi so seems like an overpay. It’s amazing how many players had career year in HRs last year. I hope if there were different baseballs last year they continue to use because it makes games more fun to watch. If they don’t we are all going to be disappointed with expectations for our teams newly acquired thumpers.
Boras did. He wanted 7/210 he got half of that! That is who got bent over
The only rumore near that was Nightengale tweet at winter meetings. No other writers saying that they believed that what it would take to sign JDM. Crasnick tweeted that they wanted $200 million, but did not mention number of years. Not a single other writer that rumored that Boras was asking for that amount. I have seen rumors more recently that he wanted more than 5/100 both in years and dollars. He got a $60 million guaranteed for 2 years if his client chooses to opt out. That is pretty good.
$60 million guaranteed for 2 years and then the player can walk away is sticking it to Boras? Not sure what world you live in, but ok. Whatever.
Don’t forget for a DH only. Not defensively skilled.
You keep saying 60 million I think you have some fuzzy math everywhere I have looked is 50 million with the buyout. I guess we have to wait for the real numbers to come out.
WEEI reported earlier and reiterated today that there was a $10 million signing bonus. 23.75 + 23.75 + 2.5 if he opts out + 10 = 60.
They also have reported multiple times that year three is $22 million and the last 2 years of the deal are $14 million, not $19 million and that the signing bonus is to be paid in $5 million increments 2021 and 2022 regardless of whether or not he opts out.
That is a total of $110 million with $60 million guaranteed if he opts out after year 2. $82 million if he opts out after year three.
Interesting point they made this morning is that all of this contract language stuff was mostly to put fear into other teams about his injury to keep him from opting out than to protect the Red Sox. That I totally believe.
It would seem logical that if players are viewed “in decline’ after 30 years of age the the players union will work to change the age players can become free agents to a younger age.
So are the owners still colluding?
Of course they are….it’s the MLB Crime Syndicate. I know that because I read it on these comment boards. /s
Right?!! Seems like the cries to boycott have suddenly evaporated.
I’m sure it’s just coincidence
They have not evaporated, MLB Network is just not reporting about it. The players are still talking about it to the media, especially beat reporters and local radio.
3rd day of camp and 81 sixth year FA players that were on season ending active rosters are still unsigned. Don’t let the signings of a handful of players distract you from the real issue that the players are ticked off about.
a 2.5 million dollar buyout for opting out. beautiful.
I wonder why the Orioles have a tough time bringing in quality pitchers.
Camden is a hitter’s park, but that’s just part of it. Seems like the Jimenez contract left such a bad taste in their mouth that Angelos now paints all FA pitchers with a broad brush and wants to avoid signing any SP for significant dollars for more than 2 years. If their starting staff is bad enough this year it might change that philosophy.
JDM looks like a Vampire in that picture. Good lord that’s a sharp looking canine.
With this drama winding down we can now expect Hanley’s vesting option scenario to begin a slow burn until mid-season when it potentially becomes a distraction.
jdm chooses to opt out and boston has to pay him $3,000,000 more?
stop exaggerating; its only 2.5 million.
has my daydreaming about walking in to my bosses office, telling him im quitting and demanding my 2.5 million dollar buyout.
Article Quote: “Martinez slashed a Herculean .303/.376/.690 with 45 home runs and 26 doubles in just 489 plate appearances last offseason.”
.That’s impressive “offseason” numbers. Imagine if he did all that during the season. 😉
It all seemed so real to us Diamondback fans. He will be greatly missed. You gave us some great moments JD, thank you!.
Lol
More Red Sox articles please.
Haven’t really seen a whole lot of this guy so i looked up videos of him. He seems to hit a ton of line drive HRs. He definitely needs to get them up playing in Boston. He has some serious power but I’m not sure his signing is enough to keep up the Yankees. Either way they still makes the playoffs since the Rays are not getting outta 5th, the Jays and my Orioles will have their moments but not enough to contend with those 2. I do think though that rivalry is going to be better then previous seasons. Should be a fun year this year if they just stop messing with the damn rules.
He’s played over 123 games in a season once in his 7 year career. He’s a good player but I doubt he’ll just suddenly start playing 150 games every season.
If he hits 40 hr, 50 dbls, and puts up a .690 OPs in 120 games, does it matter? I doubt the Red Sox would be disappointed if that is the results they get.
If he is a full-time DH, do you think that he will get injured as often as he has in the past playing the OF?
If he puts up a .690 OPS they will be mad. That would have ranked 132 in 2017, tied with Hunter Pence. I’m not even sure how that would be possible with 40hrs and 50 2bs, though.
Meant SLG. He was #1 in SLG last season with a .690.
DH
Did the Red Sox send Martinez to the Orioles’ doctors?
Probably not. He’s been balky as long as he’s been good. I love it when Boras is exposed. He’s a health risk everybody but JD and Boras would admit that.
WEEI is still saying on their broadcast today that JDM will receive $60 million guaranteed if he opts out after 2 years.
With what we have heard from Drellich that gives different numbers than everyone else, I am hoping that when its made official that we will get the true numbers.
If its $23.75 million in 1st 2-3 seasons and $2.5 million buy out if the opts out, that leaves a $10 million signing bonus.
Who cares what he gets, they’re entertainers n get what the market says he gets, just like the actors.
I smell trouble
Perhaps a red flag popped up during his physical. They don’t take this long to complete.
Always drama in Boston. Just sign him. Yanks would like it to be fun when they play.
Oh pluuuse
Tick, tock, tick, tock
Wow….45 home runs last off-season….now that is quite impressive to hit that many home runs in the off-season….haha
Martinez slashed a Herculean .303/.376/.690 with 45 home runs and 26 doubles in just 489 plate appearances last offseason.
The only problem with this site is they keep post the same thing with the same graphics over and over with minor stuff like JD spoke with Boras today.
Agreed Lord Vincent….I seen the Red Sox signed JDM about 5 times in the past 10 days….it’s old news….
On the other hand, it’s better than new posts where the old comments are lost and people make the same comments again. And they do a good job of date/time stamping the updates so you can see what’s new.
Comments should be displayed newest first, however.
Misterbill….Good points
Messages should be from top to bottom
lololol +1000
Probably the most annoying free agent saga I’ve ever been witness to, glad it’s over
Protection from a health condition in the last two years of his contract ? He must have a lingering issue that we don’t know about and that’s why it took so long
WEEI was saying this morning that this is more about limiting his market to keep him from opting out than to protect the team. Lisfranc injuries take a long time to recover fully from, but once you have they are not a recurring injury like a hamstring or ligament injury. In some severe cases, arthritis may occur from damage to the cartilage which would hamper the ability to run without pain.
3 opt outs and the Sox only get potential for recouping value if he’s hurt in the fourth or fifth year when he’s already likely to have opted out? They got gamed through and through on this contract.
“gamed”? 5/110 is less than anyone predicted. The Sox don’t care about the opt outs, they care about improving their chances of a title in 2018 & 2019.
Yes, gamed. No other team would’ve even offered him 80 million, and you know he wasn’t taking a one year contract from Arizona. The opt out eliminates any potential for drastic surplus value should he show himself to be a relatively ageless slugger who can hit out 50 bombs in any given year.
It’s a horrible contract that was the result of a team again bidding against itself. Yes, people predicted more, but that doesn’t mean this lesser amount was 1 – the best deal Boston could’ve gotten or 2 – reflective of JD’s actual value as a player.
Not sure what you are trying to say. If he repeats the 3.8 WAR that he had last season, he is providing surplus value in year one. If he hits 50 HR that will be at least a 4 WAR season, probably much more, which means surplus value.
It seems you completely ignored my points. Let me state them again:
1. Just because the contract is market value doesn’t mean the Sox couldn’t have gotten him cheaper, especially considering his complete lack of suitors.
2. I understand that he very well might provide surplus value this year (but note the highest projection I’ve seen for him is 3.4 WAR). But if he’s great, you only get two years of surplus value. If he’s bad, you get five years of a bad deal.
It is not up to the Red Sox, it’s up to JDM to accept their offer. Obviously, he was not willing to do that so they could not have gotten him cheaper.
3.4 WAR is surplus value. About $8 million over the 23.75 million in salary they will be paying him. $7 million if you use last years WAR value.
If he is bad then so sorry Charlie. That is the chances they take to get a guy that put up the 2nd best offensive numbers in the game for a $22 million AAV.
If he opts out, that means he’s played well, was probably not hurt, and the Sox more or less got what they paid for.
If he doesn’t opt out, there’s a terrific chance it’s because he dealt with injury. If that’s the case and it causes him to miss too much time in years 4 or 5, the Sox get some money back. Seems pretty straightforward to me.
But what happens if he is hurt in years 1 – 3?
Wow …. what a pain in the a.s this player was
So what is the protection from injury? Financial, time added to contract? (kinda dumb if it is a career ender)
Interesting signing
More RS articles. We don’t have enough.
Nightmare signing for Red Sox.
It’s really too bad there isn’t an opt out after year 1 also. And after the 2018 all star break
or now. Like I wish the Sox could OPT OUT now
Lol good one
How many times are they gonna put a article up saying redsox sign jdm goodness now jdm can opt out if his dog gets home sick or his doctor moves geeezzz