Red Sox Predictions: Five teams that should trade for J.D. Martinez
The Red Sox aren’t in a good position to hold onto both JD Martinez and Mookie Betts. Perhaps, a team will offer to take Martinez off Boston’s hands.
Common knowledge to the baseball world, J.D. Martinez has opted into his contract with the Boston Red Sox for 2020. Unfortunately for Boston, that stretches payroll very thin. With Martinez’s salary counting towards the payroll, that is $23.75 million more that the Chaim Bloom will have to shave to get under the luxury tax payroll.
Unfortunately for the Red Sox, that could mean dealing away Mookie Betts, who is set to make close to $27 million in 2020, per MLB Trade Rumors. But, what if there was another option? If Martinez chose free agency instead of opting in, there would surely be teams interested in his services.
So what if the Red Sox front office dangled Martinez in front of teams that would have been interested in him? This would do two things for Boston. One, a prospect or two would come back in a trade, beginning the reload of dry farm system. Two, it would cut $23.75 million from the payroll, opening up an avenue to sign Betts to an extension.
Here are five teams that could be interested if Martinez was placed on the trading block.
Philadelphia Phillies
The Phillies had a disappointing 2019 season. After spending well over $400 million last offseason, there was a World Series level expectation. Then, 2019 came and went and the Phillies had an 81-81 record, good for a fourth place finish.
Trading for Martinez could be an option as it may push them overboard by making them a threat to the World-Series reigning Washington Nationals. With a crowded outfield that already includes Bryce Harper and Andrew McCutchen, Martinez would slot into left field.
Martinez carries the offensive tools like no one on the free agent market (Anthony Rendon excluded) and would be a major splash for the Phillies. While Martinez isn’t a great fielder, the Phillies support a nice cast of outfielders to go along with him. McCutchen is a good defender and Harper was in the final three for the Gold Glove Award in 2019.
Martinez, often cited as a hitting guru, would be able to help the young core of Philadelphia that include Harper, Rhys Hoskins, and JT Realmuto. Martinez’s contract would be no worry, as the Phillies, a big market team, can afford to add some payroll this offseason.
However, the Phillies would likely not make Martinez their top choice due to his inconsistent fielding and that McCutchen is likely a left fielder now, due to his age.
Prediction: The Phillies target starting pitching instead of targeting Martinez
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
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals won the dogfight that is the NL Central, and proceeded to beat the Atlanta Braves in the NLDS. Despite being slaughtered by the World Series champion Washington Nationals, there is a lot of optimism shining throughout the Red Birds.
Despite that, Marcell Ozuna is a free agent and needs to be replaced if they don’t re-sign him. They could ink another free agent or make a trade instead. Martinez could entice the Cardinals as he would be a humongous addition to the middle of their batting order.
Just like the dilemma with the Phillies and Indians, Martinez would have to man left field if he was sent to St. Louis. There is reason to be optimistic about Martinez on a National League team.
Martinez was dealt by the Detroit Tigers to the Arizona Diamondbacks in July of 2017. He proceeded to tear the cover off of the ball, perhaps his best offensive stretch in his career. Martinez wasn’t anything special with the glove, but that’s not why you acquire a player of his caliber.
The Cardinals main struggle in the NLCS against the Nationals was the inability to do any damage against the starting pitchers. Martinez can do a better job offensively than Ozuna and be an immediate presence in the order, providing protection for Matt Carpenter, Paul Goldschmidt, Kolten Wong, and Dexter Fowler.
The main roadblock in the way of this trade is that Ozuna and the Cardinals likely have a mutual interest in inking a contract together. Because of that, the Cards may be able to get a discount.
Realistically this trade won’t happen because Ozuna thrived in 2019 with the Cardinals and Martinez isn’t too flashy with his glove.
Prediction: Cardinals re-sign Marcell Ozuna for 2020
Los Angeles Angels
Mike Trout has been the best player in baseball since 2012. The Angels have never won a postseason game with the best player in baseball on their team. Trout will be on the team for more than the next decade so hopefully he will get a postseason win.
Joe Maddon was recently hired to become the Angels manager. Shohei Ohtani will be able to pitch in 2020. Trout will still be an MVP candidate. The Angels have a golden opportunity to slip into the postseason.
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With Kole Calhoun becoming a free agent, Martinez could play the field part time – right field when Ohtani clogs the DH spot, then DH the rest of the time. Martinez would be an instant addition to the middle of the order and lengthen an already powerful lineup.
The Angels would have to give up a prospect or two from the minors, but that is a small price to pay for the veteran leadership and production Martinez provides.
A problem with this trade may be that Maddon, the new manager, may not want Martinez on the roster. Maddon, one of the most versatile managers, may want to utilize the DH to get Ohtani in the lineup more and to rest players such as Albert Pujols (39 years old) and Trout, the MVP front-runner who got hurt to close out the 2019 season.
Also, there have been many rumors that Gerrit Cole is headed to Anaheim. The Angels payroll may not be able to handle the salaries of Trout, Pujols, and Cole plus Martinez’s.
Overall, a full-time DH may be too much for the Angel’s roster to handle. Also, the Angels have had a bad history of developing pitchers which may frighten the Red Sox.
Prediction: Angels upgrade their pitching rather than acquiring a big-time bat
Chicago White Sox
Before Martinez opted into his contract with Boston, rumors were circulating that he could find a suitor in the Chicago White Sox. Now that there is no chance to sign him, could Martinez get shipped to Chicago?
The White Sox have been in a rebuild the past several years and they have lots of young talent coming to the majors. A push for the postseason the next few years is likely in the cards for the White Sox. With pitchers such as Lucas Giolito and bats like Eloy Jimenez, there is lots of promise for the south-side of Chicago.
Martinez has often been referenced as a hitting guru and can help mentor and mold these upcoming stars into promising players of the future. With payroll slim, the White Sox can surely handle the $23.75 million Martinez will command in 2020.
The only negative in the way of this trade is that Jose Abreu is likely to re-sign. Abreu, also a great mentor, may fulfill the role of veteran leader. Due to that, Martinez may be an unnecessary addition to Chicago’s roster.
However, trading for Martinez would be more than just veteran leadership. Martinez is one of the best hitters in baseball and can inject any young player with a good work ethic and how to become the best player possible.
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If the White Sox feel the Red Sox set a price range that is reasonable, they could jump for Martinez as he is a player that can shove the White Sox to a postseason berth.