According to ESPN.com’s Pedro Gomez, the Boston Red Sox have come to an agreement with free-agent outfielder J.D. Martinez. Although no confirmation has come from Boston or Martinez’ camp, details have been making their way out in dribs-and-drabs.
Alex Speier of the Boston Globe is hearing “sides are working towards an agreement built around a five-year term”. If the news is indeed true, and the Sox have secured Martinez, this would give them an entirely new dynamic in Beantown.
The 30-year-old had a monster season last year, splitting time between the Detroit Tigers and the Arizona Diamondbacks, finishing the season with a .303 average, and an OPS of 1.066.
Martinez’ 45 HR, 104 RBI, and 26 two-baggers were all tallied in under 500 plate appearances. His advanced statistics are even more impressive. His combined WAR for the season, between Detroit and Arizona, was 4.2 and his OPS+ was a gaudy 166.
It’s more than likely we’ll see J.D. Martinez in the DH spot for the Red Sox this season, though he will certainly still see some time in the outfield. Boston’s already potent offense just got quite the boost in power.
The Sox ranked 6th in the American League last season with 785 runs scored but were last in the league in homers with only 168. Martinez should help in that department.
Along with Mookie Betts, Jackie Bradley, Andrew Benintendi, Xander Bogaerts, and Co., the Boston Red Sox just made their move by adding Martinez. The rest of the AL Wild-Card field had better take notice. The New York Yankees will worry about crossing that bridge when that time comes.
Keep checking MetsmerizedOnline.com for more details as they come out.
