Red Sox could look for a reunion with former slugger in free agency
The Red Sox will need to be active in the free agent market to build a contender heading into the 2024 season. During new chief baseball officer Craig Breslow’s press conference, he spoke about his team’s needs in free agency.
One area Breslow would like to address is adding a right-handed bat to the lineup. The Red Sox were left-handed heavy in their lineup last season, balancing that out with a slugger who can hit in the middle of the lineup makes sense.
With Justin Turner electing to become a free agent, the Red Sox will look to replace his bat. If the club is unable to retain Turner, they could pursue designated hitter J.D. Martinez, according to the Boston Globe’s Pete Abraham.
"Maybe the Red Sox will regain their lost gumption and make a real effort to sign Shohei Ohtani," Abraham said. "If they don’t, could the return of J.D. Martinez make sense? Justin Turner, who has been enjoying fall in New England, has said he wants to return to the Sox. But if that falls through, Martinez could become an option.
"He had a robust .893 OPS along with 33 homers and 103 RBIs in 113 games for the (Los Angeles Dodgers) this season. But if Los Angeles offers Martinez the $20.5 million qualifying offer, he could well take that and that would complicate its pursuit of Ohtani. It seems more likely Martinez will become a free agent again."
There’s other dominos that will need to fall if the Red Sox are pursing a Martinez reunion. Boston is expected to be in the mix for Ohtani this winter. The Japanese superstar will have to DH in 2024 due to rehabbing from elbow surgery at the end of last season. The Dodgers are expected to be heavy favorites to land his services, essentially ending Martinez’ one season in Hollywood.
The 36-year-old had a rebound season at the dish in Los Angeles. He crushed 33 hoers and knocked in 103 RBIs while slashing .271/.321/.572 in 113 games. During his tenure in Boston, Martinez was a fan-favorite, a four-time All-Star and helped lead the team to the 2018 World Series championship.
Martinez should do well in the free agent market and is expected to land a multi-year deal, according to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic.
While with the Red Sox, Martinez expressed his fondness for the city and how much he loved playing in Boston. Prior to the 2022 season, he expressed why he loves playing for the city.
“The passion,” Martinez said to MLB.com. “I talk about it all the time with my friends and family. When I first came here, everybody was like, ‘Are you going to be able to handle it? The media and the fans and all that stuff?’ And I was like, ‘Dude, there’s nobody harder on myself than me.’ They’re writing how bad I am and I’m at home pissed off because of how bad I am, trying to find out ways to [make it] work. The passion of the fans and the media and demand kind of fits my personality well.”
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Hard pass on a JD reunion. It’s great for him that, like Brasier, a change of scenery made him a better player. But expecting anything other than 2022 all over again if he returns to the Red Sox with the same hitting coach in place? Nope.