Former Red Sox slugger could earn multi-year contract in free agency this winter
Former Red Sox designated hitter J.D. Martinez could be in line for a multi-year deal this winter in free agency.
Martinez bolted from Boston for Los Angeles last offseason, signing a one-year, $10 million contract. The slugger had a strong offensive season, batting .271 with 33 homers, 27 doubles, two triples and 103 RBIs over 113 games. Martinez also posted a solid .893 OPS and .572 slugging percentage.
Two Dodgers beat reporters, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic and Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times believe Martinez will receive multi-year offers once he’s a free agent.
“After taking a discounted one-year, $10-million deal from L.A. last winter, the 36-year-old slugger should fetch more lucrative multi-year offers on the open market this time,” wrote Harris.
Martinez could be given a one-year qualifying offer but it’s widely expected that the Dodgers will heavily pursue Angels phenom Shohei Ohtani.
If the Dodgers sign Ohtani, he will DH next season as he recovers from elbow surgery. He will not pitch until the 2025 season.
“A multiyear deal seems like a strong possibility,” wrote Ardaya. “Something that could hinder his market, however: The Dodgers can still give Martinez the qualifying offer (a one-year deal worth approximately $20.5 million), meaning whoever signed him would have to surrender a draft pick to Los Angeles.”
If the Dodgers miss out on Ohtani, they could circle back to Martinez or even look at a reunion with Justin Turner.
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