After a months-long standoff between the Red Sox and then-free agent J.D. Martinez prior to the 2018 season, the team finally landed the slugger on a five-year, $110MM guarantee in February. The contract has worked out brilliantly so far for the Red Sox, whom Martinez helped to a World Series title to cap off an incredibly productive 2018. While Martinez hasn’t been as excellent this season, the designated hitter/outfielder has still managed outstanding production for the sixth straight year.
Once the season concludes, Martinez will have a decision to make on whether to stick with his contract or opt out of it and test free agency again. Martinez will be 32 years old by then, and vacating the deal would mean passing on a guaranteed $62.5MM for a free-agency mystery box. However, Martinez doesn’t seem ready to rule out taking the gamble. Asked Monday if he’d consider opting out, Martinez told Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com it’s in agent Scott Boras’ hands.
“For me, I just listen to him,” Martinez said. “That’s what I pay him for. He gives me his opinion, he gives me his advice and it’s up to me after that to make my decision. We’re really not there yet, where he’s given me his opinion and his advice. So I think we have to see how it plays out.”
Back when Boras and Martinez were negotiating with Boston, medical concerns on the team’s behalf helped hold up an agreement. Martinez appeared in just 119 games in 2017 as a Tiger and Diamondback after a Lisfranc injury in his right foot kept him from debuting until mid-May. The issue led to wariness from the Red Sox, which left Martinez “very confused.” The club eventually got Martinez to accept making the last two years of his pact (2021-22) mutual options should he suffer a Lisfranc injury or other significant right foot complications. But Martinez has been durable as a Red Sox, and he expressed confidence to Cotillo that concerns about his foot rest with their doctor – not other doctors around the league.
If other teams aren’t worried about Martinez’s foot, it could influence whether he revisits the open market in a few months. That said, $60MM-plus would be a lot to leave on the table for a defensively limited 30-something who’d be saddled with a qualifying offer. Players who check one or two of those boxes, let alone three, haven’t fared great in free agency in recent years. It could be all the more concerning to clubs that Martinez’s offensive numbers, while still impressive, have dropped precipitously compared to 2017-18. In fairness to Martinez, though, he posted a 1.000-plus OPS in each of the previous two second halves. A similar tear this season could give the three-time All-Star and Boras something to think about once Boston’s season ends.
Don’t do it J.D!
J D Martinez is absolutely gone. He can get one more 4 year deal. I’d be disappointed to see him go because he’s been xlnt for the Sox. But the writing is on the wall, no reason at all to stay with this contract and finish it out.
More than $60MM+ guaranteed for 32yr old DH? Good luck with that.
I agree not sure what the market will be for DH.
Proven big bat will always find the money.
He’s a great hitter, but totally one dimensional. I don’t think he will opt out. Teams aren’t giving up draft picks to sign a DH. Maybe more likely after NEXT season than this one.
Well that would be good for the Red Sox and fans like me. If he sticks around fantastic.
I just figured he would have an opportunity for a better contract then his existing remains. I don’t think he’s slipping talent-wise.
Two years ago Jd was 29 and coming off of a 45 hr year and had to settle for Bostons contract because there wasn’t a lot of other teams interested.This year he’s looking at about 35 hrs and he will be 32 next year .What makes you think he will be looking at better money now.
Team were unsure of his medical status last time. Was coming off a foot injury and was considered a slight risk with his foot and other ailments.
Now it starts since the reporters have not much to write about the Redsox they dig into this horrible stuff during the season. I think if JD gonna opt out, trade him, he has that vulture Boris. So sick of these guys.
NTC
How dare these players maximize their earnings!
If he can, he’ll use the opt out to get more out of Red Sox and not to test waters. In my opinions. He has limit to AL and not many teams pay for competing these days, just draft draft draft prospects. Develop,develop, develop!
JD will have Papi like legacy. Probably.
Nice word scramble.
LOL!
English isnt his native language, genius.
Since the Red Sox F.O. would have a dance party if Martinez opted out at this point, I’m saying he won’t get too far on that negotiation.
Exactly. The Red Sox got what they wanted out of the deal. Short term, Big bat, and a World Series championship. He’s 32 let some other team give a big contract to an older guy. Mets, Phillies, Orioles, Angels…The Usual Suspects.
My first impulse is to say putting the Angels in that list is dumb…except the Angels are indeed dumb enough to sign a third DH.
@Gary if the Red Sox view his contract the way you do then the odds of JDM opting out (regardless of how well he plays in the pre-opt out years) are effectively zero.
thats moronic, Mets are not the usual suspect for those deals. try Angels, Padres
@Tatis, I really don’t understand your comment even after reading it six times.
Someone might have to explain it to me. “If the Red Sox viewed JDM contract the way I do… then there’s no way he’s leaving???”
All I said was JDM is out of there because I think he can secure a better contract than his current contract. I absolutely believe that’s true.
And I think the Red Sox would be okay with that because they got him for a couple of years, he was fantastic for them and they got a championship. Sorry to see him go but that’s fine.
And considering the history of some of the teams I mentioned above, there’s a lot of willing general managers ready to Pony up.
@Gary you were saying that the Red Sox want JDM to opt out. Players only ever opt out if the team doesn’t want them to.
No I think that he will… I think Martinez will opt out because he can get a better contract than his current one. He hasn’t slipped offensively and there’s always a need for a middle-of-the-order bat I think.
But I think the Red Sox will be fine if Martinez does opt out. Thanks for the two years. We got a championship and everything’s great. We’ll find another way.
Gary the Mets are the usual suspect The Orioles and Angels?Did you pick these names out of a hat or are you from another planet and have never actually watched baseball
He has done nothing this yr, n the effect is felt down to Betts. Betts best yr was when JD was thumping.
He ha Boris the Vulture, n leaves everything to him.
I guess my info is old but there’s been a few Red Sox that the Mets have signed to long-term deals as older guys that the Red Sox just let walk. Jason Bay Pedro Martinez… and it really didn’t work out. I guess nothing lately but those are the teams that came to mind. Orioles Chris Davis Etc Angels Pujols CJ Wilson and Josh Hamilton.
By the way I’ve got the package and I watch a lot of Red Sox games. I always love when guys have nothing to say but “do you even watch the games.” LOL.
If he can get a better contract than his current one the Red Sox would emphatically NOT want him to opt out. They would want to either keep the superstar who they have signed for below market value or, if they are worried about him declining, they would at least be able to use him as a trade chip.
No Devers will have the Papi legacy.
lol Agreed. Bringing business into the mix… Absolutely reprehensible!
He’s not opting out. Steve said a couple of months ago that the Red Sox want him to opt out. Players basically never opt out when the team wants them to.
Why would the Red Sox want him to opt out? I actually think the contract is pretty fair from both side’s perspectives. I don’t really see him getting more (maybe years if that’s what he was after) but not annual $ value. But I also don’t think the Red Sox could replace his offensive production for less $ either – so it really seems like a good fit all around.
IMHO he was the team MVP last year. That said, he got paid more upfront. Love for him to stay but I hope the team learned from overpaying as rewards (Eovaldi and Pearce). Team will adjust either way. I just love the chemistry and how he leads by example and not with his mouth.
Only logical answer is the Red Sox can sign Betts to an extension and use the rest of the money on pitching. Otherwise JD Martinez rakes and is an important part of that offense.
They have already committed a ton to starting pitching. If they were earning their money, the bullpen would be fine and team would be in a dogfight for first. They really need dome young arms to develop, not paying for more.
I hope by extension you mean a 10 year contract or else Betts is gone
Exactly… and the story really is flawed in many ways…
The statement that the contact has worked out for the RS implies a contract with an AAV of $22m has not worked out for Martinez. Also stating if he opts out is in Boras hands… then goes on to quote his actual comment where he says Boras gives him advice but the actual decision is his.
This whole idea that Boras Somehow makes decisions where these players play or when they opted out or don’t opt out is ridiculous.. he gives them all advice ..it may be bad advice sometimes but they make the final decision.
The Red Sox are tight up against a payroll ceiling. If Pedroia were to do the honorable thing and retire and a 32 year old Martinez were to opt out, suddenly the Red Sox would be able to escape the luxury tax and handle the huge number of increasing salaries coming from their younger players.
Plus they might non-tender guys in arbitration. Might, not will. Add the Pedroia idea and you’re looking at 40-45 mil off about 215’ish.
The Red Sox have 13.5 million of fat panda coming off 20 plus million of Porcello plus Pearce, Moreland and Nunez that’s about 17 million. That’s without JDM opting out. They have added 6 million for Bogey, and 15 million for Sale so that nets out to about 30 million off the books if JDM opts out that’s another 20 million suddenly the Red Sox would be under the lux tax for a year if they went cheap on replacements. I’m guessing if JDM opts our that’s what they do. They will probably go to Mookie see if they can work out an extension and if not I could see them trading him in the off-season for a soft reset. Then get ready to splurge in 2021 that’s what I would I would do punt for a year if JDM opts out and Mookie won’t sign an extension.
why would Pedroia opt out and forfiet millions?
He won’t makes no sense.
Stupid to suggest Pedie giving up what he earned. He took less avg. value for more years to help the team which should have insurance although it doesn’t change the cap hit. Why should Pedie lose because some other signings haven’t worked out.
So you are looking at the Red Sox without Mookie or Martinez and an aging Sale and an aging Price and Erod as there only viable starters and a mediocre bullpen.Quite a team you’d be looking at.Unless the Sox want to be terrible next year they’d have to replace those guys with something.
I never it said it was optimal but if JDM opts out and Mookie won’t sign an extension then you trade Mookie and do a short rebuild. I also don’t believe they would be terrible I think they would still challenge for a wild card and it would allow them to crank it up 2021 money wise. As a fan I would love to see JDM stay and Mookie sign an extension I’m just saying if not then a soft rebuild might be in order. A starting rotation of Sale, Price and Edro is still going to be pretty good and bullpens are a crap shoot year to year.
Mookie has an inflated opinion if himself. All he does is talk about FA. So I say trade him.
Peddy s knee was given for the team, ty Machado!
Yeah opting out wouldn’t be in his best interest, at least if we’re looking at how the League is trending now.
Basically a DH-only with a Draft pick hanging over him… I highly doubt he could obtain a better deal than what he currently has. But who knows??
Could also be how he and his family likes Boston. With the money he’s banked, he has an out clause and deserves to consider options.
I think one of the questions has to be if he opts out will he get more money. Assume the Red Sox let him walk and saddle him with a qualifying offer, how many teams will still offer just another 5 years at 110M? While he would likely be the best hitter on the market I would imagine the trends right now would make teams more willing to trade for a hitter than sign one.
At this point I think he’s better offer leveraging his opt out the same way CC did. Use it to have the Red Sox extend him another two years at the same rate.
Why would Boston extend him when he’ll still be good but unlikely to be as good and probably won’t be able to play the outfield at all? His option now.
I hear the Yankees knockin!! Lol
Oppo power in a band box and a dh left field platoon with Giancarlo that’s yummy sounding
LOL, sure… Stanton and Martinez as platoon bats? Are you a troll or delusional? It’s hard to tell with Yankees fans.
A left field and dh platoon.. that’s what he does now. Not delusional.. but good luck when he opts out. At least you got a ring outta it.
If Yankees spend money it will be for an arm not a bat. The dh position is already loaded with guys like Voit Stanton and Sanchez on days they are not playing
His annual salary will likely go down but he is quite likely to exceed 62 million on the open market, even with the qualifying offer
I agree, sacrifice his annual for a longer term more $ deal…. Kinda an AL Horford style deal…It’s still a ludicrous amount of $ either way, but why not max out your options.. Remember it is not like 98% of these guys have the mental chops to succeed in life outside of the $ they earn in baseball…..
Since he’s limited to AL teams I don’t see all the options for an aging dh..If the Yankees want a dh next year they have a 20 mill option on Encarcion so how many other options are there for an aging dh
I really can’t see him getting more than 3/60 or 4/70 in the open market if he opts out. I don’t see much upside and plenty of downside. He has done everything he could but teams are really pulling back on big/long deals for aging veterans.
I think if he finishes strongly he’ll be able to pull in a 5 year 100 million contract. At least a 4 year 80 million. He’s not 35
That’s why he has the attorney he has……Let that guy put out “feelers” to establish possible deals. Illegal…? Yup. Does it happen…? Yup….
Maybe I’m wrong but I think the writer of this article is mistaken about a qualifying offer. How would he be saddled with a qualifying offer if he opts out of his current contract? I thought qualifying offers went to players with expiring contracts.
If he opts out, his contract becomes an expiring contract, thus allowing for him to be eligible for the QO.
If he opts out, the Red Sox would certainly tag him with the QO.
Unless the contract is written forbidding the team from making a qualifying offer it basically is an expired contract. Last year when there was a possibility of Kerhsaw or Price opting out there was talk that part of what might stop them would be the qualifying offer.
I hope he payed attention to what happened with Boras clients this year. Offering up astronomical price tags which caused some teams to drop out immediately. That tactic didn’t pay off. I think the Sox need to give add a year or two. JD to me is so important to this lineup
More hits than misses.
JD has been very good but I think the lineup wont drop off a ton without him. Devers is becoming the middle of the lineup bat he was expected to be. Bogaerts is having another great season. Betts and Benintendi are down do far this year but still difference makers. Chavis is solid in his rookie year. Vazquez is hitting. JD can walk and money pointed towards those younger performing parts.
Putting your hopes on Chavis being this good and Christain Vasquez being really good and Benintendi beibg really good with no Martinez in the middle of that lineup is very riskyand last time I checked this is Betts’ free agent year. Also losing a 35 to 40 hr bat would hurt any team. Take his 100 rbis out of that lineup this year and they’re nowhere near the pennant race
I’d take the chance. It isnt on the shoulders of one guy to become JD, it is on many. I called Vazquez hitting more like 2017 and Devers improving. Benny is very good and still hasnt grown into his power. Bogey is backing up a great season. Chavis can also get better and next up is Dalbec who mashes. Im not saying 1 guy is JD but we are so good offensively we can do it without him and save money.
I can see Seattle making a bid for him as they seek to start contending again. The Cruz contract worked out amazingly well for them.
I see no way Seattle would want an aging dh in a 4 or 5 year contract That makes zero sense
Boras is a gambler. JD is not a gambler. Don’t be a Boras. Not a chance he gets more money or goes to a team that focuses on winning as much as the Sox do. However, some key players will be leaving & their pitching isn’t great so he could just be looking to latch on to another playoff team. But who? Tampa won’t pay him, Yankees don’t need him. Cleveland? Minnesota? Maybe but not for the cash he’s making. No National League team will put him on the OF. He’s staying in Boston.
JD could and probably should wait one more year. He has a chance to opt out again after 2020. His 2020’salary is $23mill if he stays, but in 2021 and 2022 it drops to $19.8 mill. He’d be walking away from a lot less.
Either way, if he opts out after 2019 or 2020, I suspect Boston (by virtue of not having his salary on the books) would still have sufficient resources to sign him and the end result would be a return to Boston for more years and total money, but at a reduced AAV, benefiting both Martinez and the Sox …
So wait until he’s a year older to try and maximize his value? If Martinez has a great 2nd half, this is the time to strike. This is a really interesting scenario because I think most people would literally put Martinez opting out at like 50/50-ish.
he’s still been good this year, and healthy, but he hasnt been as good as last year. if he picks it up in the second half and stays healthy then its very plausible. however, he may wait another year and reevaluate. his aav drops by about $4 mil after 2020, so maybe that’s when he does it.
Honestly, I love JD. but if he leaves.. opens up $$$ to secure Mookie. Would prefer that option.
Given his age and medical history, the fact he’s primarily a DH, and the way free-agency played out last year, Martinez isn’t going to opt out of that money. But you never know I guess….
I guess i don’t see where he sees himself ending up ? What AL team needs an upgrade at DH? And is willing to spend the money ?
Yankees will sign JD just so Red Sox won’t have him. He can play left field when Gardner retires.