WASHINGTON, D.C — J.D. Martinez and Scott Boras both indicated Boston could be a longterm fit for the Sox’ extraordinary slugger. But another deal, be it via an extension or free agency, is likely to cost the Sox a lot more, so long as Martinez stays on a similar track.
From the player and agent perspective, Martinez’s contract was designed to allow for a huge payout if Martinez hit like, well, this. Martinez can become a free agent after two seasons out of a possible five in the deal he signed with the Sox this spring after a protracted free agency.
“How I viewed his future, you can tell by his contract,” Boras told NBC Sports Boston on Monday. “He’s got more opt-outs than any player. So we knew who J.D. was. It was just a matter of getting J.D. the amount of playing time that he didn’t have going into free agency, getting a number of at-bats. The influence that he has in the clubhouse and leadership. All the things we’re aware of that he’s demonstrated in Boston.”
In other words: you like what you see? It’ll be different next time around.
Boras offered Red Sox owners John Henry and Tom Werner some praise when asked about the possibility of an extension.
“John and Tom have always been about things that work, and they’ve never shied away from it,” Boras said. “As a matter of fact, they’ve sought it. Dave [Dombrowski] has in his career as well. So, I think in time we’ll be able to — [this is] one of the most successful franchises in the game and he’s one of the most successful players in that market, so it seems to be a good fit.”
Boston Red Sox
Martinez’s contract makes him $23.75 million this season and next, with an additional $2.5 million coming his way if he decides to go to the market after the 2019 season, which certainly looks likely. That means he’ll have made $50 million for two seasons before presumed free agency.
The maximum dollar value of Martinez’s present contract, $110 million, was below what many expected he would command after Martinez hit 45 home runs in 119 regular-season games in the 2017 season between the Tigers and Diamondbacks. But the contract was envisioned by Boras to work this way.
“I think the biggest, the hardest thing about it for J.D. was that he had a great, a great season. But he only played 120 games,” Boras said. “All the guys that get dramatic contracts have had those seasons where they’ve had 140 games played a couple times."
“So you have something that I think needed to happen for them. We really came to a contractual conclusion that rose to: he’s going to reach a level in these two years where $25 million a year — obviously, he’s proven his point. Where what went on in Arizona and Detroit last year was something that [can be sustained].”
“I think we’re all clear right now: J.D. Martinez is a superstar player.”
When Martinez was asked about the possibility of reworking his deal on Monday, the slugger gestured toward Boras, who was standing a few feet away over his left shoulder.
“This is the guy you want to talk to right, there,” Martinez said. “It obviously would have to be discussed later, but yeah I mean I like my time there. It’s been fun so far. So, I don’t see why not.”
Martinez said too that he could see himself playing in Boston for a long time.
“I like the front office, I like the managers, I like everything, kind of everything the way it’s run,” Martinez said. “I think it’s trending in a really good way and I wouldn’t mind staying there.”
There’s an argument to be made that Martinez is presently the best hitter in baseball, at least in his ability to do things at the plate others cannot: drive an inside fastball out to the opposite-field consistently, for example. He’s basically taken on dual roles, as an additional hitting coach along with Tim Hyers and assistant Andy Barkett.
“Well, certainly, you know he’s put together a dynamic where you have the combination of great contact, great power, great on-base production, driving in runs,” Boras said. “So whatever you’re going to ask of a great major league hitter, he’s produced it. … Obviously from the metrics of today’s game, he’s risen to the top of what everyone suggests. You know, you’re looking at OPS, you’re looking at all those things. There’s another player over there obviously that is a remarkable athlete [in Mookie Betts]. They’re quite a tag team.”