3 Offseason needs the Red Sox must square up before 2022

The Red Sox might need a new clutch bat

JD Martinez didn’t opt out after 2020, but he has the option to do so again this winter, before the final year of his contract. If the upcoming Collective Bargaining Agreement reimplements the Universal DH, he could be tempted to seek more money elsewhere, though he’s a 34-year-old set to make $19.4 million in 2022.

Martinez didn’t have the best year, hitting under .300 for the first time in a 162-game season since 2015, and generally putting up some of his worst numbers in a non-pandemic-shortened season in years. But it was a rebound season from his miserable 2020 performance, and he was an All-Star who led MLB with a career-high 42 doubles; baseball players contain multitudes.

If Martinez opts out, the Red Sox have some in-house options, like shifting Bobby Dalbec to third, bringing up top prospect Tristan Casas to play first, and making Rafael Devers their designated hitter. The move would certainly eliminate his propensity for defensive errors.

There is also a mutual option on newcomer Kyle Schwarber, who immediately endeared himself to Red Sox Nation. Acquired from the Washington Nationals at the trade deadline, Schwarber hit .291/.435/.522 with a .957 OPS over 41 regular-season games for the Sox. Of his 39 hits, 10 were doubles and seven were home runs. He also learned how to play first base.

Like most of the Boston lineup, Schwarber went ice-cold in the last three games of the ALCS. But before that, he had two multi-hit games and three home runs, including a grand slam. The Sox should keep him around regardless of Martinez, but he can also take up the mantle if the latter enters free agency. At 28 years old, Schwarber is six years younger than Martinez and could platoon with players like Devers long-term.