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Red Sox: Five potential DH replacements if J.D. Martinez is traded

By Tim Starr

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 27: J.D. Martinez #28 of the Boston Red Sox looks on after striking out swinging in the fourth inning of Game Four of the 2018 World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on October 27, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 27: J.D. Martinez #28 of the Boston Red Sox looks on after striking out swinging in the fourth inning of Game Four of the 2018 World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on October 27, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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MIAMI, FLORIDA – SEPTEMBER 11: Mike Moustakas #11 of the Milwaukee Brewers celebrates with teammates in the dugout after hitting a three-run home run in the third inning against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park on September 11, 2019 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA – SEPTEMBER 11: Mike Moustakas #11 of the Milwaukee Brewers celebrates with teammates in the dugout after hitting a three-run home run in the third inning against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park on September 11, 2019 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

Moustakas

Mike Moustakas was forced to sign a 1-year deal with the Milwaukee Brewers headed into 2019. After a solid 2018 season in which he swatted 28 home runs, he followed it up with a 35-homer, 2019 campaign.

Looking for a multi-year deal, Moustakas can take over the DH spot and shouldn’t be too pricey for the Red Sox. He is in line for a 2 or 3-year deal, and while he won’t provide production quite like Martinez, he can slot nicely into the 5th or 6th spots in the order.

Another plus to signing Moustakas would be that he provides veteran experience. Moustakas is a winning ballplayer, part of the World Series-winning 2015 Kansas City Royals and a part of the 2018 Milwaukee Brewers team that forced the Dodgers to go to a Game 7 in the NLCS. He has big-league experience that he can pass down to an already playoff exposed, young Red Sox core.

Moustakas has shown defensive mobility and can slide into first or second base, two spots the Red Sox lack depth in. If Chaim Bloom ultimately decides to sign him, expect a 30-homer season and about an .800 OPS.

Overall, Moustakas wouldn’t make the Red Sox sink or float in 2020 but would be a nice pickup and replacement to fill Martinez’s footprint. Unfortunately, the Brewers seemed to utilize Moustakas very well in 2018 and 2019, and will likely return there.

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