Now that JD Martinez has opted into his 2020 contract, the Red Sox could perform a sign and trade. Here are some possible candidates for a sign and trade.
With JD Martinez opting into the next year of his contract with the Boston Red Sox, payroll flexibility has diminished. There are definitely cheaper options on the free agent market, and trading Martinez could open up some room on the roster.
If Martinez were traded, he’d leave quite a large pair of shoes to fill as he averaged 117.5 RBI’s, 39.5 homers, and a .317 batting average in his two seasons in Boston. Those are some hot numbers for any player!
While there is likely no player on the market who can put up those numbers, there are some lesser options that should come for much less money. If he were traded, it could be a blessing as it opens up more money for signing Mookie Betts to an extension and allows for more money to be saved on the 2020 payroll.
While Martinez’s damaging bat can be replaced internally, likely with Bobby Dalbec, it would make sense for the Red Sox to scan the free agent market. Luckily, there are many DH and defensively lacking, offensively gifted, options that Boston can look to ink this offseason.
Regardless, here are five prime candidates to take over Martinez’s roster spot if Chaim Bloom were to trade him.