The Red Sox are among the teams showing interest in free agent designated hitter J.D. Martinez, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post. Martinez is a free agent after spending the past five seasons in Boston. The Red Sox opted not to offer him a qualifying offer at the end of the season.
The Red Sox don’t have a clear DH locked in for 2023, but there have been some concerns raised over the outfield defense of new signing Masataka Yoshida, and he has seemed like someone who could at least spend a decent chunk of time at the spot when he’s manning left-field. Martinez did not make a single outfield appearance in 2022, so bringing him back would be a vote of confidence in Yoshida’s ability to handle left on a day-to-day basis.
Martinez, 35, slashed .274/.341/.448 with 16 home runs over 596 plate appearances in 2022. While that was a bit of a drop from his best years, it was still good for a wRC+ of 119, or 19 percent better than league average. A year prior, Martinez hit .286/.349/.518 with 28 home runs and 43 doubles. While his strikeout and walk numbers remained steady between ’21 and ’22, his HardHit% dropped almost eight percentage points.
Originally developed by the Astros, Martinez spent three unsuccessful big league seasons in Houston before being released ahead of the 2014 season. He signed on with Detroit, and his career took off, as Martinez slashed a combined .300/.361/.551 with 99 home runs over three-and-a-half seasons with the Tigers. With the Tigers out of contention and Martinez in his walk year, they flipped him to the Diamondbacks at the 2017 deadline, and Martinez hit a staggering 29 home runs in 62 matches for Arizona, setting himself for a huge payday in free agency.
It was a lengthy free agency as Martinez batted away concerns over a foot injury the previous year, but in late February of 2018 Martinez signed with the Red Sox on a five-year, $110MM deal. Over the next five years in Boston, Martinez would mash 130 home runs and compile a .292/.363/.526 line. He’d also earn MVP votes in two of those seasons and go to the All Star game four times.
While Martinez’ career numbers speak for themselves, they have slowed down a touch as he’s aged, and his restriction to the DH spot makes his market hard to predict. Any number of teams, including the Red Sox, could do with a bat like Martinez’, but many teams prefer to keep the DH spot more open to cycle players through. As such, there’s not been a ton of reported interest in the veteran slugger. MLBTR predicted a two-year, $30MM for Martinez, and while the Red Sox are now the only team with reported interest, teams such as the Rays, Orioles, Twins, among others, could all have make sense as speculative fits.
Sox have interest! Alert! Alert!
The Guardians are “in” on Martinez
Nah they have Bell and Naylor to rotate at 1B/DH
Matching their interest in Bogaerts, Rich Hill, Wacha and extending Devers.
Bloom’s fallback will be to attempt to talk David Ortiz out of retirement…….unsuccessfully.
If you see Chaim be sure NOT to say “Manny’s probably available at a reasonable price now. Carl Crawford, too.”
didn’t you hear?! they’re taking an “aggressive stance” with Devers. this time it’ll be totally different
I hope JD comes back as a hitting coach some day.
Wouldn’t it be something if Bloom whiffs on JD as well.
I HOPE they whiff on JD. I don’t want him back. He Slipped badly second half of the season. In August he was hitting .300 .., June or July the three big guys were hitting way above .300 then suddenly JD fell off a cliff and couldn’t get anything done.
Add to that the fact it’s clearly a disadvantage to have a full-time DH. It reduces roster flexibility and in the field days off for your regulars. I like the man I hope he finds a job somewhere but not with the Red Sox.
Bloom swings and misses again.
Yet more superior reporting from Heyman. JD is a Boras client too! I thought Heyman had inside information from the Boras Agency. Not more than 4 hours after Heyman reports this, JD signs with the Dodgers…classic Heyman right there!
Sox have interest is another way of saying we were sorta into a player that you will find out signed elsewhere.
Bloom will be slow in reacting and loose him
The Red Sox remain interested in a reunion with Xander Bogaerts also.
jd is a big piece for whoever gets him
Don Baylor 2.0
Same as Baylor with regards being restricted to DH duties late in career, nothing else. Baylor was a very large man. Anyone who saw him up close could ascertain to that fact. How such a big man could have been so quick early on (ditto Dave Parker) to me shows how well some players can train and be in shape.
Later on, like late Angels and Sox career Baylor could barely move. Injuries and age.
Also like to add he’s the only person can remember never move out of the way of inside pitches and take the hbp/free base. He didn’t care as older fans will agree.
The guy was just plain tough and had a great personality to boot.
Couple things and ingredients todays game could use a lot more of are Baylor types.
Don Baylor stole 52 bases in one season. Was 20-20 four times.
1st paragraph of mine referenced Baylor’s early career speed whyhayzee..
Agree with another poster mentioning Baylor being a true leader that ’86 season. Boston had plenty of “stars” on the roster, but really no clubhouse leader since Yaz had retired 3y earlier and Baylor stepped into that role. Having a weak manager (Johnny Mac), seen as a pushover by veteran players didn’t help much either.
Don Baylor 2.0
=====================
I don’t think so. Baylor was a beast with an attitude. He wasn’t our best player in 1986, but he might’ve been the most important. When asked about whether he thought the RS might blow their lead in 1986, like they had in 1978, he said flat out ‘NO!’.
Baylor was a very hard, but clean, player, and I’m a big fan.
Don Baylor was legit throughout his career and more than toed the line, as far as clubhouse presence, as others have pointed out. I have nothing but respect for JD but that comparison isn’t a good one to make at all, imo. And Baylor always got on base any way he could, eat a fastball, sounded good to him. Just my opinion but I wish more players were actually interested on just getting on base. Anyone with a bit of speed, never mind a bunch of athletes, would give pitchers problems. Half these guys don’t even glance at the runner on base, so go take it. Somewhere in the past 10 years+ all the pressure for containing speed on the base paths has fallen squarely on the catcher, which I don’t get at all
I think the reunion makes sense for both. 1 year/$10M but in this market probably 1 year/$15M
I was kind of disappointed when the Sox let him go. He’s had so many good ab’s for them in big games. I was hoping he’d go to the wsox, where good careers go to die, but this would be so much better.
When was the last time they were in a “big game”?
With Bloom you need to think 1 year and 5 million
Man I was hoping my Dbacks would be smart and sign him. They need a right handed hitter. He loved arizona and would get more power back.
He hasn’t signed yet
Why? Take Nelson Cruz for 6-8 millions
Martinez is 6 years younger than Cruz. Martinez just had an OPS+ of 116, as opposed to Cruz’ OPS+ of 90.
Cruz = cooked.
JD showed his age last year, but he still has some gas in the tank. Cruz looked absolutely deep-fried. If the Sox have any intention of competing at all, JD is an obviously better choice
Oh no….dude went out to pasture last year don’t do it!
Why, it seems the Red Sox are rebuiy
“and he has seemed like someone who could at least spend a decent chunk of time at the spot when he’s manning left-field.”
When he’s *not* you mean?
He’s going to put on a fake mustache and pretend to be a DH so he can get double the number of ABs. Brilliant move by Red Sox to save one salary.
Bobby Valentine, Mets style
“It’s unclear what exactly the Red Sox are doing anymore.” – Rotoworld
Whether people like what the Red Sox are doing or not, they are basically:
1. Spending around the luxury tax threshold.
2. Avoiding albatross contracts (Story is an outlier).
3. Restocking the farm system.
Then they should be saying this instead of these dogsh*t comments about how they’re expecting to contend this season and that this year’s team will be SO MUCH BETTER than last year!
Pedro: I don’t pay too much attention to what people say, but rather what they do.
suit – I agree 100% !!!
Bloom can talk all he wants about how trading Mookie would give him payroll flexibility to re-sign other Red Sox stars, or how he “loves” Xander and keeping him is his “top priority” blah blah blah … but Bloom’s ACTIONS are all that matters.
I literally walk away every time I hear Bloom interviewed, what he says is totally worthless.
100% correct! I have no issues with the long-term contracts, as long as I can see the end.
Joe: Agreed.
Suit – the publicly-stated-details, available to anyone with an internet connection or an open window, are not “unclear,” the sudden change in franchise direction is “unclear.” The supposed plan is understood as it’s stated – the supposed plan just makes zero sense.
30 Parks: I’m guessing about the plan like everyone else. It looks like things are financially motivated. Avoiding mega contracts and building a team from the farm system lead to a lower payroll and I’m guessing more profit if they are competitive. They should be able to be competitive if they spend around the luxury tax threshold. Maybe Bloom will be out of a job of he can’t compete with a $233M budget. Or maybe he will stay around until his prospects start coming up.
Well I think some of the issues involve the players they’ve gotten back in trading MLB players and the lack of development within that after acquisition. I mean downs just got designated and he and Wong, another one who hasn’t developed into even a steady backup, were part of the selling off betts. Sure Verdugo is still around and holds an mlb jib but
sorry cut off. my final point was Story isn’t an albatross by any means but he can’t stay healthy and to “swoop” in and sign him when you have a better homegrown SS, should be seen as what it is/was. Why story was the target still doesn’t make any sense to me. not to say he’s bad but you didn’t need him last year, he was hurt at the end of his walk year, why any interest at all, especially if the CBT is a problem and the team wants to stay under…
Side note seeing where the market is this year compared to last year, provides good hindsight. Signing an extension to anyone would’ve been beneficial to pretty much every team last year. instead we got story somewhat cheap. Dude reminds me of tulo, no rox pun intended, but his best days were yesterday. maybe one over the top year left, but 25 mil for a ss that has problems throwing, great investment. I’m sure it will age well. Hope he opts out in ’25 but I highly doubt it, he will get paid till he’s 36. For a team toeing the line between the cbt as well as a rebuild/contention(as they alledge), signing this guy,to this contract, coming out of coors, with Xander still there and coming off injury and not even finishing seasons the previous 2 seasons healthy. someone explain to me how this signing fits the propaganda the sox have been slinging. it makes no sense
Mike: I think you make two good points. The Red Sox should be able to compete if they spend around the luxury tax threshold, but they need to make good decisions in grades and signings as you say. I agree the Story contract is not a complete albatross, but it looks like a bad contract. Maybe he can turn it around and make it a good contract.
Mike: Just saw your third post. I agree the Story signing made no sense and does not fit in with recent moves. I’m thinking maybe someone decided they need to make a “big signing” to grab headlines or show they are willing to spend or whatever.
mike – Bloom wanted to improve infield defense, have a stopgap SS until Mayer arrives at which time said player would move to 2B, and pay someone less than Xander to accomplish both.
It’s really not that complicated.
No it’s not complicated at all. The choice of player in Story to fit that need was a poor choice based on what was known of his recent seasons, or lack there of, cuz he couldn’t stay on the field. He didn’t play a full season last year either. Bodes well for the rest of the contract.
Another Heyman “Throw something/anything against the wall and see if it sticks” post.
Everyone should. Professional hitter
I can’t believe they traded Mookie Betts because they were paying JD 25 mil a season.
Butt – You’re mad because the Sox were paying JD $23.75M after coming off a .939 OPS season, but you’re okay with the Sox paying Sale $30M after one of the dumbest contract extensions in Red Sox history?
Well alrighty then …
I think we should move on from him.
Especially since Betts wanted out. The Sox didn’t want to trade him.
avenger – That is 100% false. Mookie wanted fair market value, he was determined to get it, that’s the only reason he didn’t sign the $300M contract offer.
Read up on Mookie’s arbitration history with the Sox.
I think he’d be a good fit for the Orioles. Proven hitter and veteran leader for a young team.
If you throw enough spaghetti, something will stick.
1 year 10 million with incentives is fair…
He actually would make sense for quite a few teams at where his price range should be, I would think. Teams like, DBacks, Rays, A’s, & O’s could benefit from his experience, leadership, and potential for offense. All are also in the potential playoff or WC hunt in the next season or two.
JD would definitely be a welcome addition as the offense is still very suspect at this point. Hard to know what he has left in the tank but a two year deal wouldn’t be horrible
YES, for the right price I’d take him back. Still a good hitter, They need hitters.
I’m surprised, with his numbers, they ever decided to let him go in the first place. Considering the lesser players who are being signed, Martinez is worth whatever he can get.
No. Luke Voit should be their prime target.
Just the very fact that this statement exists shows what a terrible position this team is in
I feel like JD is a better fit on the Mariners at this point.
I wonder where they got the picture at the top, because Carlos Febles, never played in the majors for the Red Sox.
“according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post.”
Let me know when something real happens.
Heyman’s an idiot.
Please stop listening to him, MLBTR.
Cubs should be calling
Just straight up f*#% Chaim Bloom
Interest is an understatement. Essential.
Trey Mancini actually makes far more sense for the Sox. He’s also a RHed hitter, is younger and likely to have more to offer than the suddenly old JD Martinez and can play both 1B and OF as well as give them ABs at DH.
Mancini gets overlooked by teams for some reason
Absolutely spot on, imo.
I’d still be okay with JD, since he can play LF a little. But we can also have Dalbec as a mini-platoon at 1st and 3rd.
One of the most underrated hitters in the last decade. Probably because that’s all he can do but that’s no knock against JD
What is this team doing
The 64,000 question is, what is Bloom doing? I’m stunned at this offseason when Heyman said the Red Sox were going to be big spenders this offseason!
Bloom has interest in JD Martinez because no one is left and he whiffed on everyone else ! What an incompetent Baseball operations manager. Does he really believe that he improved this team? What now resign Wacha, Hill, and Eovaldi? The bigger question is does Henry think he improved the team. Bloom should go back to Tampa. The Boston Red Sox Baseball writers are going to have a field day with this fiasco of a team Bloom put together.
JD, if we do sign him at say $32M/2, will be a better option than someone like Abreu at $64M/3.
Agree, disagree?
I think I am about done with this regime, if they don’t care about making the team better, why should we care about them. There is absolutely nothing exciting or interesting about these guys.
Bloom is the guy who arrives at the buffet table when everyone else has eaten and he is picking at the leftovers and food that fell on the floor. This team is going for 5th place this year.
If Bloom signs him it proves he has no plan. The DH slot has to be able to play the field and preferably 1b.
And he goes to LA with the dodgers
Once again Bloom is a day late and a dollar short. Every single time an article is posted that says so-and-so is Boston’s top priority or Sox are interested in a player, that player signs with someone else within hours. I fully expect Bloom to trade Devers within the week.
Heyman makes stuff up
… the Los Angeles Red Sox.
Broken Clock > Heyman
John Henry and the 7 dorks, led by dopey Kennedy and Sleepy Bloom! Well, we lost another one so let’s Leak some info that we were interested in resigning him, and maybe we can sell 2 seasons tickets before the news breaks that he is really going to the Dodgers!
As a long time Red Sox fan i am totally disgusted with their action or lack of. They ate a big market team acting as “The Sisters of the Poor. Im tired of reading thet are are very interested in so and so then the next article comes out the player is signed. If the don’t sign Devers Im done. I won’t root for another team i just wont watch of care.
I’m disgusted with this team and Bloom under Henry’s guidance. Bloom should try to talk Jim Rice out of retirement. This teams moves are a joke this offseason and this team is going to blow junks this year. They are worse than last year when they finished last in the division
Heyman’s an idiot.
Please stop listening to him, MLBTR.
Jon Heyman…. Hello Scotty almighty
Borass… hey Johnny boy… please report That the Red Sox are interested in signing JD… you know you can be the first to report it.
Jon Heyman: Thanks Scotty
Borass…. lol ,,,, sucker fell for it again…. just needed to drive that price up.
Another swing and miss by the Red Sox. Actually, that’s not correct. It is more like they watched strike three cross the plate with their bat on their shoulder.
I was right. Bloom was slow to getting JD back. Bloom is very easy to predict, he is very slow in reacting. Not sure if he is in over his head, or just behind the curve on everything.
We have solidified last place this coming year, unless Bloom is able to swing a blockbuster trade, which I DON’T SEE HE CAN DO
Bloom is In way over his head. He rode on the shirttails of Andrew Friedman in Tampa Bay. He must have sold some bill of goods to Henry. After another last place finish this year and seeing his prized prospects fail he will be fired at the end of this horrid year. I’m laughing because Yoshida says he wants to win a championship in Boston, not with the way this team is built.
Chaim is looking & waiting for bargain basement prices on EVERYONE……what the heck is going on here !! Since when do the Redsox get beat on soooo many players. We’re going to have to settle on Zach Davies, Elvis Andrus, Rougned Odor & Curt Casali. This guy has to go !!!
JD is now a Dodger–one year, $10 million.
And the Red Sox just signed 38-year-old Justin Turner (2 years with an opt out, about $22M), who really didn’t hit any better than JD and is four years older
World Series here we come!