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Red Sox: Time to move on to other free agent sluggers

By Earl Nash

BOSTON, MA - SEPTEMBER 24: Dave Dombrowski, President of Baseball Operations, left, and Mike Hazen, new Senior Vice President and General Manager of the Red Sox, address the media during a press conference to announce Hazen's promotion before the game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Fenway Park on September 24, 2015 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - SEPTEMBER 24: Dave Dombrowski, President of Baseball Operations, left, and Mike Hazen, new Senior Vice President and General Manager of the Red Sox, address the media during a press conference to announce Hazen's promotion before the game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Fenway Park on September 24, 2015 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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With the asking price for J.D. Martinez remaining outside of the comfort zone for the Boston Red Sox, it’s time to look at other free agent options.

The Boston Red Sox and J. D. Martinez are about one-year and $55 million apart and holding on grimly, according to FanRag’s Jon Heyman.

With the New York Mets’ signing of Jay Bruce, the free agent slugger alternatives on the market are down to guys like Logan Morrison, Eric Hosmer, and Mike Moustakas.

Dave Dombroski, President of baseball operations, has reportedly made an offer of five years at $25 million per year for a total of $125 million.

Scott Boras, Martinez’ agent, had floated a 10-year deal. Martinez says he would go down to six years, but he wants at least $30 million per year for a total of $180 million, according to Heyman’s sources in Miami.

This leaves the sides in a deadlock with Dombroski willing to spend $125 million and Martinez wanting $180 million; so they are about $55 million apart.

For comparison, Jay Bruce [36 HRs last season] just signed with the Mets for 3 years at $13 million per year.

Broken down by cost per HR, if they each hit the same number they did last season, 45 for Martinez and 36 for Bruce, here is your total:

Bruce                    $13 million          /by 36 = $361,111 per HR

Martinez              $30 million          /by 45 = $666,666 per HR

Yes, Bruce had nine few HRs, but are nine HRs over the course of a season worth that much more; especially for a guy who is a defensive liability in the outfield?

For comparison, here are some other 40+ HR slugger contracts:

Mark Trumbo, 47 homers. Signed a three-year, $37.5 million deal with Baltimore. [2016]
Edwin Encarnacion, 42 homers. Signed a three-year, $60 million deal with Cleveland. [2016]
Chris Carter, 41 homers. Signed a one-year, $3.5 million deal with the Yankees. [2016]

How does Martinez compare to Big Papi?

Ortiz topped out at $16 million per year in his last two seasons with the Red Sox, 2016/2017.

Martinez has apparently turned down $25 million per year and is asking $30 million per year.

Is Martinez worth nearly twice the money as Big Papi?

Is Martinez worth more than the Gold Standard, Giancarlo Stanton?

Recall Stanton’s contract is for 13 years [through 2027] and $25 million per year; repeat $25 million per year.

Martinez wants MORE money per year than Stanton; he has indicated he is looking to get $30 million per year for six years.

Granted, Stanton will get his $25 million for ten more years, until 2027, but he is two years younger than Martinez and is an above average outfielder.

Unless, because he dealt for Martinez before when Dombroski was the Detroit GM, he is enamored of Martinez, maybe it’s time to start looking for a better bargain elsewhere.

If the Red Sox can find a guy to fill in with a two-year deal, they can save their money to make a bid for Bryce Harper a year from now.

Surely, a contract with say, Logan Morrison, for say, $13 million per year, could be worked out.

This would give the Red Sox a guy who can play first base and outfield and who has30-year-oldus pop in his bat:  38 HRs and 85 RBIs and a 3.6 WAR in 2017.

Next: J.D. Martinez willing to hold out into spring training

If a 30-year-old outfielder who wants to play in the field with an iron glove and wants better than Stanton money for six years is your only free agent target, it may be time to aim somewhere else.

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