The wait is finally over. Free-agent outfielder J.D. Martinez has agreed to terms with the Red Sox on a five-year deal worth $110 million. The contract is front-loaded with an opt-out clause after the second year of the contract.
J.D. Martinez’s deal is $110 million over 5 years, sources say. Contract is front-loaded prior to opt-out. @MLBNetwork @MLB
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) February 19, 2018
First off, this is a great move for the Boston Red Sox, who have been looking for a big power bat to plop in the middle of the lineup since David Ortiz retired following the 2016 season. Now, they have that bat. This lineup was already looking good before this signing, with the likes of Mookie Betts, Andrew Benintendi, Rafael Devers, Xander Bogaerts, and the recently signed Eduardo Nunez in the fold. However, since Hanley Ramirez can’t seem to figure it out, the Sox were missing a right-handed power bat like Martinez.
It’s likely that Martinez slots in at cleanup between lefties Benintendi and Devers, which gives the Red Sox one of the best 3-4-5 combinations in the Major Leagues. It might not be as good as the Yankees, but it’s still pretty damn good.
For a fantasy perspective, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better landing spot for Martinez. Leave Colorado out of this. Fenway Park has always played favorably to right-handed power, and that shouldn’t be any different with Martinez. His swing generates good loft and very hard contact, demonstrated by his 43.2 FB% and 49.0% hard contact rate, the latter of which led the Major Leagues last season. Don’t be surprised if Martinez comes close to the 45 homers he clubbed last season.
The biggest loser from this signing as it stands now is Ramirez, who goes from starting DH to platooning at first base with Mitch Moreland. A platooning Hanley isn’t worth drafting in standard leagues. There’s also a chance that Dave Dombrowski could move Jackie Bradley Jr., thus opening a corner outfield spot for Martinez, but that remains to be seen.
Current Fantrax ADP data has Martinez’s ADP at 26.36 as the eighth outfielder off the board. In my 2018 rankings, I had him ninth, but this signing moves him up ahead of George Springer into eight, right behind Cody Bellinger.
I hope you can use this article to your advantage and get a leg up on your fellow league members. Got a question that I didn’t cover here? Then follow me on Twitter @EricCross04 and ask there.
Previous Hot Stove Analysis
Rays Acquire C.J. Cron, Designate Corey Dickerson
Jake Odorizzi Traded to the Twins
Eduardo Nunez Inks Deal with Red Sox
Cardinals Add Bud Norris to Crowded Bullpen
Cubs Get Their Ace, Sign Yu Darvish
Mets Add Todd Frazier on Two-Year Deal
Royals and Athletics Swap Parts
Miami Sends Christian Yelich to Brewers
Blue Jays Acquire Randal Grichuk
Blue Jays Sign Curtis Granderson
Giants Trade for Andrew McCutchen
Twins Grab Their Closer, Sign Addison Reed
Mets Bring Back Jay Bruce on Three-Year Deal
Toronto Acquires Yangervis Solarte from San Diego
Royals, Dodgers, and White Sox Complete Three-Way Trade
Rockies Fill Closer Vacancy with Wade Davis
Arizona Adds Bullpen Depth with Yoshihisa Hirano
Indians Fill First-Base Void with Yonder Alonso
Brewers Bolster Rotation with Jhoulys Chacin
Orioles Lose Zach Britton, Brad Brach Likely Closer
Giants Add Evan Longoria, Rays Create a Mess
Red Sox Bring Back Mitch Moreland
CC Sabathia Returns to Yankees
Dodgers-Braves Make Five-Player Trade
Angels in the Infield: Zack Cozart Signs with Los Angeles
Phillies Ink Carlos Santana to Three-Year Deal
Everyone’s Signing Relievers, But Who Will Close?
Cardinals Finally Get Their Marlins Outfielder
Cubs and Twins Gamble on Smyly and Pineda
Chase Headley Gets Dumped on Padres
Cubs and Cardinals Add Potential Closers
Giancarlo Stanton Joins Yankees
Wellington Castillo Inks Deal with White Sox
Potential Closers Traded: Boxberger and Johnson
Doug Fister Signs with Rangers