5 trade deadline destinations for Red Sox DH J.D. Martinez
By Sean Penney
Red Sox DH J.D. Martinez should draw trade interest from these teams
There is a distinct possibility that we are seeing the final days of J.D. Martinez in a Boston Red Sox uniform.
According to Alex Speier of The Boston Globe, Martinez expressed uncertainty regarding his future with the club. When asked if he would still be a member of the Red Sox after the trade deadline passes on August 2, Martinez grimly responded that he doesn’t expect to be here “if we don’t start winning.”
Boston won Thursday’s finale with the Cleveland Guardians to split the four-game series and climb back to a .500 record. However, they are still sitting at the bottom of the AL East and 3.5 games out of a Wild Card spot.
Martinez is in the final year of his contract and the Red Sox haven’t shown much interest in locking up the 34-year-old beyond this season. If Boston concedes that they must sell at the deadline, Martinez is an obvious candidate to be on the move.
There have been rumors that the Red Sox will dance between the line of buying and selling at the deadline, dealing away veterans on expiring deals to stockpile controllable young talent while adding pieces that can help them push for a playoff spot this year. Martinez could be traded regardless of Chaim Bloom’s strategy at the deadline.
While his home run power has mysteriously declined, Martinez is still having a strong season, hitting .293 with an .828 OPS. His paltry nine home runs has been partially offset by 30 doubles, which leads the team and ranks fourth in the majors.
Martinez should draw plenty of interest if the Red Sox make him available. Here are five contenders who could use an upgrade at the DH position.