When this season concludes the Boston Red Sox will go into full waiting mode as they await the decision of their star designated hitter J.D. Martinez.
Time is ticking and with each passing day, another grain falls through the hourglass. The clock isn’t just counting down on the playoff hopes of the Red Sox but also on the current contract of J.D. Martinez. Now, he’s technically linked to Boston until he’s an Unrestricted Free Agent in 2023 but this winter opens the door to his multiple opt-out options.
Martinez has been a major asset to Alex Cora and the Red Sox and has seemingly found a home with the organization. J.D. first signed with the Astros after being selected in the 2009 draft though he would be released by Houston in 2014. He would then spend two and a half years in Detroit before being sent to Arizona to finish the 2017 season. Finally, J.D. signed with the Red Sox in February of 2018 for a whopping 5-year/$110M.
Since joining Boston Martinez has become a juggernaut at the plate and is fully embracing his role as the designated hitter. He has become a heart of the offense along with Mookie Betts, Xander Bogaerts, and Rafael Devers. Things were perfect in his first season as the Red Sox would go on to set a franchise record for wins (108) and raise a World Series banner.
2019 has been a far departure from the happy times that came with last year though and it may have Martinez thinking over his options. A few weeks ago J.D. spoke about his desires to remain in Boston through the rest of his career but that he understood this was still a business.
"“100%,” Martinez said when asked if he wanted to play the rest of his career in Boston. “Boston has been my favorite team since I was a kid. I’ve always dreamt of being there. I’ve loved the family side, the way they treat their players and the way they act. It’s a first-class organization and obviously, I’d like to be a part of it for the rest of my career. But that’s not really up to me, in a sense.”"
So the desire is there from his end or at least it was a few weeks ago. Things haven’t been trending in a positive direction for the Red Sox this year and it has me a little worried that J.D. may want to test the waters. With many of the big names getting mega deals this past season and with Betts being the next big fish in the pond in 2021, this could be his chance.
DJ J.D. on the mic! pic.twitter.com/fqVEyKHcmc
— Red Sox (@RedSox) July 25, 2019
Boston isn’t performing to their capabilities and there may be a small window for him to test the waters and take his skills elsewhere. If J.D. wants to get another long-term payday before he’s done he may not get another shot. Especially ahead of the wave of attention that Betts will receive once he’s on the market.
The other side of that argument is that it took what felt like forever for Bryce Harper and Manny Machado to get signed and it wasn’t any quicker for Mike Trout to get his extension. And when we look at the baseball landscape how many other teams have the money for another big-time deal? Sure there are other organizations with the cash but many have the pieces they need and others aren’t in the contention.
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Being that J.D. is more often than not just a DH nowadays it doesn’t make sense for him to go back to the National League, at least not until the Universal DH gets approved. So that would leave the rest of the American League where most teams either have a DH or won’t have the money that J.D. would likely be asking for.
On a physical level, J.D. has also had a few stints this season with back issues that have forced him to miss games. Add that in with the previous Lisfranc injury that ailed him and he doesn’t have the best health history. He’s also approaching his 32nd birthday which puts him at the higher end of the age spectrum for a game that’s only getting younger.
Even though things aren’t going great this year for the Red Sox they’re still a perennial contender. He is beloved by the fans and has been embraced by all of Red Sox Nation. Beyond the money aspect of the game, there aren’t many teams that start the year as a favorite to make it to October, Boston delivers that time and time again.
So with that being said, staying in Boston feels like the best option for Martinez once this season ends. His teammates love the energy and positivity he brings to the clubhouse and the fans cheer every time he walks to the plate. The Red Sox find themselves in the middle of a storm this year but if they and J.D. can weather it, they’re sure to come out on the other side in a much better spot.