FORT MYERS, Fla. -- J.D. Martinez was at the Red Sox’ facility on Wednesday, and a press conference to introduce him could come later in the day (or possibly Thursday). NBC Sports Boston analyst Lou Merloni reported manager Alex Cora has given up his No. 28 for Martinez.
David Price was teammates with Martinez in Detroit, and had high remarks about the Red Sox soon-to-be DH on Wednesday morning.
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“Great teammate. Great player obviously. Tons of power,” Price said. “Being with him in Detroit in 2014 and the first half of 2015, watching the way he swung the bat and just power to all fields. He really took after Miggy’s [Miguel Cabrera’s] approach when he was in Detroit and it did wonders for him. He’s going to drive the ball to right field, right center, if the pitcher makes a mistake with the breaking ball he’s going to hit that to left field. So he’s fun to watch, a great dude, a really good acquisition.”
Price believes Martinez can handle Boston’s scrutiny.
“Yeah. You got my vote,” Price said. “He’s different than me. So it’s good.
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“Go play baseball. Just go be yourself. Go be the hitter he’s been ever since I think it was 2014 when he had that breakout season in Detroit. He’s a great dude. He’s quiet. He’s going to go about his business and he’s going to hit a lot of homers for us.”