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4 Free-agent DH options Red Sox should consider to replace JD Martinez

By Gabrielle Starr |
BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 5: J.D. Martinez #28 of the Boston Red Sox reacts to the fans as he exits the game during the eighth inning of a game against the Tampa Bay Rays on October 5, 2022 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 5: J.D. Martinez #28 of the Boston Red Sox reacts to the fans as he exits the game during the eighth inning of a game against the Tampa Bay Rays on October 5, 2022 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images)
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Who will be the Red Sox DH in 2023?

Somewhat lost in this offseason’s Xander Bogaerts and Rafael Devers chaos is the fact that the Boston Red Sox are in need of a new designated hitter.

For them, perhaps more than any other team, it’s an impossibly tall order. After being blessed with David Ortiz for over a decade, Boston discovered his only downside; that no one else would ever measure up.

A year after he retired, the Sox found a more than solid successor in JD Martinez, but now that his 5-year, $110M contract is up, they’re once again faced with the daunting task of finding a DH. The thin market and their hesitance to spend competitively aren’t doing them any favors, either.

Here are five potential DH options still available…

4. Trey Mancini

Trey Mancini was primarily an outfielder and first baseman before missing the 2020 season while he underwent treatment for cancer, but he’s a solid DH option, too.

Aside from his time with the Houston Astros between the trade deadline and World Series this year, Mancini is an American League East lifer, and he’s hit well around the division. At Fenway,

Plus, that defensive ability could always come in handy. The Sox have played around with different lineups and defensive layouts for the last couple of years, and that element of surprise certainly worked on their opponents in 2021.

Mancini could also fill some of the void left by Xander Bogaerts, the team’s unofficial captain for several seasons. The former Oriole was the face of his franchise and the club’s longest-tenured player at the time of his trade. He’s widely respected around the league, considered a class act, and a person of fortitude. No one will ever replace Bogaerts, but Mancini would be a marvelous addition to this clubhouse.

Aug 7, 2022; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; New York Yankees designated hitter Matt Carpenter (24) is congratulated by teammates after hitting a one run sacrifice fly against the St. Louis Cardinals during the first inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 7, 2022; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; New York Yankees designated hitter Matt Carpenter (24) is congratulated by teammates after hitting a one run sacrifice fly against the St. Louis Cardinals during the first inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Matt Carpenter

The Red Sox have reportedly been linked to Matt Carpenter, who rebounded in a big way with the New York Yankees this season.

After hitting .176/.313/.291 across 180 games between 2020-21, he slashed .305/.412/.727 in 2022 but was limited to only 47 games. Still, at 37 years old, he found a way to be productive again, and hit 15 home runs in those 47 games, including included four home runs and 14 RBI in seven games against the Sox. That would’ve tied for third-most on the Red Sox roster in 2022; Martinez only beat him by one, on the last day of the season.

Of course, at this point, pretty much every free agent still on the market is a ‘fallback’ guy, because almost every top name is already off the board. But the Sox need power in their lineup; billionaire beggars can’t be choosers.

2. Luke Voit

Another former Yankee, Luke Voit was non-tendered by the Washington Nationals at the November 18 deadline, making him a free agent.

Voit was essentially a throw-in along with the hefty prospect return in the Nationals’ blockbuster Juan Soto/Josh Bell trade with the San Diego Padres, but he actually had an okay season. He struck out 179 times in 135 games but hit 22 doubles and 22 home runs, which would’ve been the second-most on the Sox roster behind Rafael Devers (27).

In his six seasons in the majors, four of which were with the Yankees, Voit is a career .254/.342/.476 hitter. He’s averaged 19 home runs over his last four seasons. He’s also done well at Fenway; 20 games isn’t a large sample size, but he’s slashed .307/.374/.507 with six doubles and three home runs.

Aug 30, 2022; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Nationals designated hitter Nelson Cruz (23) hits an RBI sacrifice fly against the Oakland Athletics during the first inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 30, 2022; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Nationals designated hitter Nelson Cruz (23) hits an RBI sacrifice fly against the Oakland Athletics during the first inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Nelson Cruz

Cruz is an even bigger risk than Martinez due to a combination of age and his own dismal 2022 showing.

He played 124 games for the Washington Nationals, but like many sluggers around the league, was mired in a serious power outage. For a hitter who’s usually a human highlight reel, it felt like he was MIA because his bat went silent. In 507 plate appearances, he collected 105 hits, including 16 doubles and 10 home runs, his lowest HR total since 2008. Between his first 40-homer season in 2014 and 2021, he’s averaged 36 home runs per 162 games.

The Sox could give Cruz a one-year contract given his advanced age. He’s been excellent at Fenway throughout his career, hitting .343/.396/.652 with 27 doubles and 14 home runs in 49 career games in Boston. Some fans may recall a game in June 2018, when he hit a three-run home run off Steven Wright in the first inning, and then matched it in the fourth inning, also off Wright.

Boston ranked 20th in home runs in 2022, and have since lost Martinez and Bogaerts. Why not see if Cruz has anything left in the tank?

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