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Red Sox Predictions: Five teams that should trade for J.D. Martinez

By Tim Starr

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 26: J.D. Martinez #28 of the Boston Red Sox grounds out during the second inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game Three of the 2018 World Series at Dodger Stadium on October 26, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 26: J.D. Martinez #28 of the Boston Red Sox grounds out during the second inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game Three of the 2018 World Series at Dodger Stadium on October 26, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /
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BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – SEPTEMBER 29: J.D. Martinez #28 of the Boston Red Sox looks on during the sixth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park on September 29, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – SEPTEMBER 29: J.D. Martinez #28 of the Boston Red Sox looks on during the sixth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park on September 29, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

Cleveland Indians

The Cleveland Indians disappointed in 2019, giving up the AL central crown for the first time since 2016. The Indians are an enigma, trading Trevor Bauer at the Trade Deadline, only to acquire Franmil Reyes and Yasiel Puig. Are they contenders or pretenders in 2020?

If the goal is to contend, trading for one of the top hitters in baseball certainly wouldn’t hurt. Reyes has the DH spot locked down, but he and Martinez could alternate who plays in the field. With Puig hitting the free agent market, the Indians hole in the outfield has re-opened for the 2020 season.

The Indians have developed pitching masterfully over the past decade and some Cleveland prospects could entice the Red Sox in a trade. Another trade possibility could be a Martinez for Reyes swap. Reyes wouldn’t post near the production of Martinez, but for $20 million less, it is an intriguing option.

Overall, rumors are swirling around that the Indians are floating the possibility of trading Fransisco Lindor. Dealing him would put the Indians out of the trade market for Martinez, and most likely out of contention and into a rebuild.

Unless Reyes was transferred to another club, playing the outfield makes Martinez a risk to himself and the success of the Indians.

Prediction: Fransisco Lindor gets traded, ousting the Indians from playoff contention in 2020

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