Red Sox: Potential landings spots if J.D. Martinez opts-out

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BOSTON, MA – OCTOBER 23: J.D. Martinez #28 of the Boston Red Sox hits an RBI double during the third inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game One of the 2018 World Series at Fenway Park on October 23, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

Boston Red Sox slugger J.D. Martinez is nearing his opt-out window Below we examine every imaginable scenario as his decision looms.

By early Thursday morning, the clock will start ticking for J.D. Martinez‘ five-day window in which he will have to inform the Boston Red Sox of his decision to opt-in or out of his remaining three-year deal. The monetary balance over those three years is $62.5M.

The path that led Martinez to Boston was an awkward one. As free agency began following the 2017 season, the former Tiger/Diamondback fired the RMG Sports Group as his representation in favor of Scott Boras. In typical “Boras fashion,” the asking price for his new client was set at a staggering $210M over seven years.

Even more awkwardly, the market for the superstar slugger never heated up during the hot stove season. The only two teams who were reported to have made offers were the Red Sox and Diamondbacks. The latter of which was only a short term deal.

Finally, on February 19, 2018, just as spring training was getting underway, Martinez agreed to a five-year contract worth $110M. Exactly $100 million less than the initial asking price.

The deal seemed like a heist for the Red Sox, who benefited from the fact there was no real competition in pursuit of their new acquisition and were largely able to dictate the course of the negotiations.

Adding to the heist was also the fact that Martinez played an integral part in what culminated in a World Series title in 2018. As well as All-Star appearances in both of his first two seasons with the Sox, in which he combined for 79 home runs, 235 RBI, and overall 9.7 WAR.

It is more than fair to say that the Boras client has lived up to his contract as he weighs in the coming hours as to what his decision will be in terms of opting in or out.

Despite his immense record of success, this pending decision will come with a ton of risk. Will there be suitors that will offer him significantly more than the $62.5M he is currently still guaranteed? What if there are not, and he ends up being forced to sign for much less?

Let’s go through the scenarios.

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