Red Sox Throw-down: J.D. Martinez versus Manny Ramirez
By Rick McNair
The Boston Red Sox have struck right-handed power gold again with J.D. Martinez. How does Martinez compare to Manny Ramirez? Who will win this showdown?
Is J.D. Martinez the greatest free agent acquisition in Boston Red Sox history? That bit of announcer hyperbole was presented by Dennis Eckersley the other night during a game. Eck manages to usually overstate opinions and does get a touch confused when dragging in statistics, but I am holding off on Martinez.
Martinez did what was expected and more by simply abusing a baseball to the extreme. As the centerpiece in the lineup – hitting third – Martinez has energized those around him. The big dog is leading and the little dogs are responding. Mookie Betts may have a season that will haunt him since it will set a standard. Mitch Moreland, Xander Bogaerts and the rest of the cast are the top run producers in the game.
In 2017, Martinez was spectacular with 45 home runs and 104 RBI in 119 games. What elevates Martinez is this is no Joey Gallo or dozens of other sluggers who simply contribute a low batting average in addition to home runs. Martinez is now a certifiable .300+ hitter and a contender for a batting title.
But what about Manny Ramirez? Martinez is signed for five years (with a 2019 opt-out). What did Ramirez do for five years? What is Martinez chasing?
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Manny signed an enormous contract and hit in the same stratosphere as Martinez and did so for his Red Sox career. That first season with the Red Sox, Manny went 41/125/.306. Then he got better. The next season was a batting title (.349). In 2004, Manny added a home run title. In four of his first five seasons, Ramirez exceeded a 1.000 OPS.
Ramirez averaged 40 home runs a year and his lowest RBI total was 104 in his first five. Ramirez was an All-Star each season, won a Silver Slugger each season, and was in MVP contention each season. Coupled with David Ortiz it was truly a hitting show. That show has now returned with Betts and Martinez.
The emotional roller coaster that was Ramirez was finally shipped out to Los Angeles in 2008. Ramirez departed with a 20/68/.299 line in 100 games and then went on a hitting spree in LA hitting .396. Of course with the hindsight of history and Ramirez’ suspensions, much of the conglomerated statistics can have an asterisk. Ramirez finsihed his Boston stay with a .312 average in eight seasons.
Ramirez was a talented hitter with an innate natural ability and an understanding of how to hit. I remember a comment by a scout who claimed Nomar Garciaparra would hit .400 if he had Manny’s hitting brain. Martinez is a scientist regarding hitting. A self-made success.
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If Martinez keeps his pace this season, meaning avoiding injuries, he will easily surpass Ramirez’ first year in Boston. I would also feel comfortable saying that Martinez’ first five will cumulative pass those of Ramirez, but that is a long way to go as is being a significant force in two World Series championships. Martinez is certainly on the way.