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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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ATLANTA, GEORGIA – OCTOBER 09: Marcell Ozuna #23 of the St. Louis Cardinals in his second at bat of the first inning against the Atlanta Braves in game five of the National League Division Series at SunTrust Park on October 09, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – OCTOBER 09: Marcell Ozuna #23 of the St. Louis Cardinals in his second at bat of the first inning against the Atlanta Braves in game five of the National League Division Series at SunTrust Park on October 09, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

Ozuna

Marcell Ozuna was once a defensive monster on the field. Shoulder troubles have derailed his defensive abilities and now he is a rather weak left fielder. Luckily, he can still mash. Slugging his way to a 107 OPS+, Ozuna doesn’t seem like a great hitter on the surface.

However, in an article on MLB.com, they go in-depth covering how Ozuna was one of the unluckiest hitters in 2019 and is actually one of the better hitting free agents available. With that in mind, if the Red Sox picked him up, Fenway’s Green Monster could end up giving his production a big boost.

Ozuna is not a good outfielder anymore, especially when you look at his arm. Lucky for him, the Red Sox have one of, if not the best, outfields in baseball, with all three getting nominated for Gold Gloves. Because of the Red Sox already great defensive outfield, it will save opposing teams from exposing one of Ozuna’s weaknesses.

He is line for a 3-year deal, with an AAV around $11-14 million. The Red Sox can definitely afford that, especially if Martinezs $23.75 million coming off the board.

Ultimately, the Cardinals have loved having Ozuna command left field the past two years and will likely try to keep him. Unfortunately, it seems as if the Red Sox would just be outbid on this one.

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