Boston added a much-needed thumper to the middle of its lineup by signing free agent outfielder J.D Martinez to a five-year, $110 million contract (pending a physical), which reportedly includes an opt-out after the second and third years of the deal.
Martinez, 30, turned in the best season of his career last year by hitting .303 with 26 doubles, three triples, 45 home runs and 104 RBIs — both career highs — with Detroit and Arizona. He was traded by the Tigers to the Diamondbacks on July 18 and was sensational during his brief stint with Arizona.
In 62 games with the D-backs, Martinez hit. 302 with 29 home runs and 65 RBIs in 232 at-bats and had a slugging percentage of .741. At Chase Field, known as a hitter’s park, Martinez hit 16 home runs in 110 at-bats and slugged .891.
The signing of Martinez gives new manager Alex Cora multiple options when filling out a lineup card. It should also bolster a Red Sox lineup that ranked last in the American League in home runs (168) in 2017.
Boston already boasts a strong outfield with young stars such as Mookie Betts, Andrew Benintendi and Jackie Bradley Jr., so Martinez could serve as the team’s primary DH. He could also see time in the outfield when Boston faces a tough left-handed pitcher considering Benintendi and Bradley are both left-handed hitters.
Hanley Ramirez, who was the team’s primary DH last season, will likely platoon with Mitch Moreland at first base with the addition of Martinez. Eduardo Nunez, who was signed to a two-year deal over the weekend, will likely be the team’s second baseman with veteran Dustin Pedroia (knee) likely out until May.
Xander Bogaerts (shortstop), Rafael Devers (third base) and Christian Vazquez (catcher) will likely round out the team’s infield. Bogaerts is one of the best young players in baseball and Devers became the first player in MLB history to hit eight home runs in his first 20 games before turning 21. Vazquez, known as an excellent receiver with a rocket arm, is one of the game’s rising stars behind the dish.
Despite the lack of power in Boston’s lineup a year ago, the Sox won the AL East by tallying 93 wins for a second consecutive season. It ranked second in the AL only to Cleveland in team pitching (93-69 with a 3.70 ERA and 1,580 strikeouts in 1,482.1 innings pitched), but its offense finished ninth in the league (.258 team batting average). That should change with the addition of Martinez.
FANTASY UPDATE: Martinez thrived in a hitters park in Arizona last year and should do the same in Fenway Park. He ranked 25th in Lindy’s top 50 Fantasy player rankings before he signed with Boston, but he should be bumped up a few notches after landing with the Red Sox. He’s in the prime of his career and should have plenty of opportunities to drive in runs with guys like Betts, Benintendi and Bogaerts hitting in front of him.