Red Sox To Sign J.D. Martinez

[Kimmi]

People in love with Holt probably was sad to see Buchholtz go. But, but, but it'd only cost us $12M. I'm glad you don't manage my money.

 

Mark me down as a Buchholz fan too. (Has he been signed yet? And if not, what are you waiting for Dave?) I was not sad to see him go, but I was also not eagerly pushing him out the door.

 

You should want me managing your money. I'd save you tons.

[Kimmi]

Nonsense.

 

It can be a good deal or a bad deal.

 

You guys keep ignoring the possibility of him not performing well and deciding to stick around for 5 years.

 

Pete Abraham calls me a pessimist. Well, to only talk about the good that COULD come from this deal while ignoring the potential pratfalls of another big money long term contract is optimistic.

 

I am a realist.

 

IMO, there really is no such thing as a 'good' long term deal.

 

That said, in terms of the way contracts go for free agent players like JD, it's a good contract, relatively speaking. Yes, it could end up being horrific, but without the benefit of hindsight, I'd call it a good deal. Again, I'm speaking in relative terms compared to other long term deals.

[Kimmi]

Well the medical staff is in Boston, and Martinez has had a couple of major injuries in the past ... and this is a lot of money. If anything, I'd think there might be some extra haggling on injury clauses and such. But I don't think this deal is getting derailed.

 

I don't think the deal will get derailed either, but I do believe the Sox must have found something in the medicals that is giving them cause to delay the official announcement. I don't think it's just a logistical thing at this point.

[Kimmi]

I just read a report that there are medical concerns holding up the JD signing.

[moonslav59]

Well the medical staff is in Boston, and Martinez has had a couple of major injuries in the past ... and this is a lot of money. If anything, I'd think there might be some extra haggling on injury clauses and such. But I don't think this deal is getting derailed.

 

Speaking of the Sox medical staff, is anyone else scratching their head over what's going on with Marco?

 

He was supposed to be ready by ST'ing, then maybe not.

 

Then he has a "set back".

 

Then he goes to have the pins removed from his shoulder.

 

In that order.

 

Am I missing something by not being in the Boston media market anymore?

 

[moonslav59]

MLBTR reports...

 

Latest on J.D. Martinez, Red Sox

By Kyle Downing | February 24, 2018 at 1:28am CDT

 

1:28pm: Both sides are being cautious, but the Red Sox and Martinez’ camp still expect to finalize the deal, Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports reassures. He adds that the delay mainly stems from “a desire to make sure the exact language of the contract is right in light of these potential red flags.”

 

10:01am: The Red Sox and slugger J.D. Martinez recently agreed to terms on a five-year, $110MM pact, but an official announcement has yet to come from the team, even though a press conference was expected as far back as Thursday. Evan Drellich of NBC Sports Boston shed some light on the situation today, reporting that the two sides are sorting through a “medical matter” following Martinez’ physical.

 

There’s a belief that the matter will not have any effect on the outfielder’s ability to take the field in the immediate future. At this time, there’s no further clarity as to what the issue is, but Drellich writes that “a better understanding between the parties” could come at some point today. There are apparently some additional medical experts involved, including a few consultants referred by agent Scott Boras.

 

It doesn’t seem as though the contract itself is in any real jeopardy. The process of ironing out the issue is reportedly “thorough and cooperative”. Yesterday, in a more speculative piece on the subject, Drellich suggested that a collapse of the contract at this point would be a “wildly unexpected scenario”. It’s entirely possible that the agreement will proceed untouched or be revised in only a slight way. Nevertheless, whatever snag the two camps have hit regarding Martinez’ physical only serves to delay the slugger’s spring training debut.

 

There are more questions than answers surrounding the situation at the moment, but we’ll be sure to provide updates as they come.

[Spudboy]

Speaking of the Sox medical staff, is anyone else scratching their head over what's going on with Marco?

 

He was supposed to be ready by ST'ing, then maybe not.

 

Then he has a "set back".

 

Then he goes to have the pins removed from his shoulder.

 

In that order.

 

Am I missing something by not being in the Boston media market anymore?

 

[/quote

 

Moon I have see almost nothing about Marco until yesterday or the day before when it was revealed that he was complaining of pain. They decided the hardware installed in his shoulder is the culprit and must be removed. There is no time table for his return. It is mostly up to how much discomfort he can withstand while playing.

 

Prior to this I saw only mention of him as one of several possible fill-ins for Pedroia. I believe that no one in our media see him as a valuable piece. I only see positive stuff about him on talksox.

[moonslav59]

Speaking of the Sox medical staff, is anyone else scratching their head over what's going on with Marco?

 

He was supposed to be ready by ST'ing, then maybe not.

 

Then he has a "set back".

 

Then he goes to have the pins removed from his shoulder.

 

In that order.

 

Am I missing something by not being in the Boston media market anymore?

 

[/quote

 

Moon I have see almost nothing about Marco until yesterday or the day before when it was revealed that he was complaining of pain. They decided the hardware installed in his shoulder is the culprit and must be removed. There is no time table for his return. It is mostly up to how much discomfort he can withstand while playing.

 

Prior to this I saw only mention of him as one of several possible fill-ins for Pedroia. I believe that no one in our media see him as a valuable piece. I only see positive stuff about him on talksox.

 

It puzzled me that the pins were not removed already, but I guess the original plan was to leave them in.

 

I've always liked Marco, but admit my good feelings were not based on anything concrete.

[Natick to NC]

MLBTR reports...

 

Latest on J.D. Martinez, Red Sox

By Kyle Downing | February 24, 2018 at 1:28am CDT

 

1:28pm: Both sides are being cautious, but the Red Sox and Martinez’ camp still expect to finalize the deal, Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports reassures. He adds that the delay mainly stems from “a desire to make sure the exact language of the contract is right in light of these potential red flags.”

 

10:01am: The Red Sox and slugger J.D. Martinez recently agreed to terms on a five-year, $110MM pact, but an official announcement has yet to come from the team, even though a press conference was expected as far back as Thursday. Evan Drellich of NBC Sports Boston shed some light on the situation today, reporting that the two sides are sorting through a “medical matter” following Martinez’ physical.

 

There’s a belief that the matter will not have any effect on the outfielder’s ability to take the field in the immediate future. At this time, there’s no further clarity as to what the issue is, but Drellich writes that “a better understanding between the parties” could come at some point today. There are apparently some additional medical experts involved, including a few consultants referred by agent Scott Boras.

 

It doesn’t seem as though the contract itself is in any real jeopardy. The process of ironing out the issue is reportedly “thorough and cooperative”. Yesterday, in a more speculative piece on the subject, Drellich suggested that a collapse of the contract at this point would be a “wildly unexpected scenario”. It’s entirely possible that the agreement will proceed untouched or be revised in only a slight way. Nevertheless, whatever snag the two camps have hit regarding Martinez’ physical only serves to delay the slugger’s spring training debut.

 

There are more questions than answers surrounding the situation at the moment, but we’ll be sure to provide updates as they come.

 

Thankyou for posting this Moon ....it's all making since now .Tonight will be announcement and Monday will likely be introductions .....beyond that .....Houston we have a problem.

Edited February 24, 2018 by Natick to NC

[Natick to NC]

It's 930 Saturday now ....still nothing ? Not good

[notin]

It's 930 Saturday now ....still nothing ? Not good

 

 

 

Why? If he still isn't signed at midnight does he revert back into being a Diamondback?

[moonslav59]

If there's something wrong, it's good we found it while there's still some good FA options out there.

 

If it's minor, the signing will be announced soon.

[notin]

If there's something wrong, it's good we found it while there's still some good FA options out there.

 

If it's minor, the signing will be announced soon.

 

The guy has averaged about 120 games played per season for his entire career. Think they found anything that wasn't minor?

[moonslav59]

The guy has averaged about 120 games played per season for his entire career. Think they found anything that wasn't minor?

 

Some of the early season low game totals were not injury related.

 

Some of his injuries have been minor.

 

I'm not saying I know what the issue is now, but I'm glad we're giving it due diligence.

[harmony]

Some of the early season low game totals were not injury related.

 

Some of his injuries have been minor.

 

I'm not saying I know what the issue is now, but I'm glad we're giving it due diligence.

There may be a reason that teams, armed with more inside information than most fans, shied away from J.D. Martinez.

 

Or not.

[moonslav59]

There may be a reason that teams, armed with more inside information than most fans, shied away from J.D. Martinez.

 

Or not.

 

There may be a reason we are now.

[moonslav59]

There may be a reason that teams, armed with more inside information than most fans, shied away from J.D. Martinez.

 

 

Yes. Cap space.

[moonslav59]

https://thesporttank.com/2018/02/23/concern-level-rising-over-handling-of-j-d-martinez-situation/

[harmony]

Yes. Cap space.

A small fraction of the 30 MLB teams have cap space concerns:

 

http://www.spotrac.com/mlb/payroll/

[moonslav59]

A small fraction of the 30 MLB teams have cap space concerns:

 

http://www.spotrac.com/mlb/payroll/

 

Except the two biggest spenders other than the Sox.

[harmony]

Except the two biggest spenders other than the Sox.

The San Diego Padres and Chicago Cubs handed two free agents larger contracts than the one J.D. Martinez landed despite those players' reported nine-figure offers from other teams.

[moonslav59]

The San Diego Padres and Chicago Cubs handed two free agents larger contracts than the one J.D. Martinez landed despite those players' reported nine-figure offers from other teams.

 

Good for them.

 

If you really think cap space is all there is to determining who might be interested in any FA making JD's type money, then you're losing some of the respect I've always had for you.

 

There's no way 26 or 27 teams might have signed JD to anywhere near what the Sox paid had they not been worried about injuries.

[Natick to NC]

Ok this is in Fonzi "Jump the Shark " weirdness now .....Sunday now ????? Wth happened

[harmony]

Good for them.

 

If you really think cap space is all there is to determining who might be interested in any FA making JD's type money, then you're losing some of the respect I've always had for you.

 

There's no way 26 or 27 teams might have signed JD to anywhere near what the Sox paid had they not been worried about injuries.

Huh?

 

I did not bring cap space into the discussion but responded when you did.

[jacksonianmarch]

Martinez has his warts. He’s an Uber talented slugger. But he’s without a position, has lingering injury histories, and is not a spring chicken. I’m not surprised DD is doing what he needs to do to ensure the contract is vetted through all parties in the organization.

 

The funny thing in all of this is Boras’ misreading of JD’s market. Boras came into the FA freeze as if he had a transcendent talent. He didn’t realize he had an injury prone DH who, even though he hit 45 homers, did so after missing 40 games due to injury to start the year.

[Bellhorn04]

Martinez has his warts. He’s an Uber talented slugger. But he’s without a position, has lingering injury histories, and is not a spring chicken. I’m not surprised DD is doing what he needs to do to ensure the contract is vetted through all parties in the organization.

 

The funny thing in all of this is Boras’ misreading of JD’s market. Boras came into the FA freeze as if he had a transcendent talent. He didn’t realize he had an injury prone DH who, even though he hit 45 homers, did so after missing 40 games due to injury to start the year.

 

Players like JDM show why WAR can be a very meaningful number. If he has a big season he can deliver 4-4.5 WAR. Very worthwhile having, but not an elite player.

 

Boras really made a fool of himself with his talk about seeking 7 years and $210 million for JDM.

[Bellhorn04]

Huh?

 

I did not bring cap space into the discussion but responded when you did.

 

True, you didn't bring cap space into it. But you suggested that a lot of teams may have 'shied away' from JDM because of health issues.

 

I think you know that likely had much less to do with it than the fact that most teams simply weren't interested in forking out $110 million for any player this offseason.

 

Possible reasons for that:

 

-Cap space

-Legitimate lack of room in payroll budget

-Willing to put a low budget crap team on the field to make profits

-Tanking for high draft picks

[jacksonianmarch]

When the Yankees, Dodgers and Cubs aren’t in the bidding and other larger markets like the White Sox, Giants, and Cardinals aren’t in it for a variety of reasons, your market will be limited. I think the CBA battle coming up will be epic. The way the cost of signing a QO FA went up plus the lux tax penalties accrue, it took a lot of teams out of the market that would have been in it, especially with a transcendent market coming up next year. The epic wave of FAs coming really screwed the market for this year and the union will want to prevent that from ever happening again.

[Bellhorn04]

When the Yankees, Dodgers and Cubs aren’t in the bidding and other larger markets like the White Sox, Giants, and Cardinals aren’t in it for a variety of reasons, your market will be limited. I think the CBA battle coming up will be epic. The way the cost of signing a QO FA went up plus the lux tax penalties accrue, it took a lot of teams out of the market that would have been in it, especially with a transcendent market coming up next year. The epic wave of FAs coming really screwed the market for this year and the union will want to prevent that from ever happening again.

 

We're only just starting Year 2 of 5 in the current CBA, so there's a long way to go and a lot of possible developments.

 

All the recent talk about rule changes highlights the fact that in spite of all the bloated revenue numbers, teams are seriously worried about fan interest being on the decline.

[notin]

A small fraction of the 30 MLB teams have cap space concerns:

 

http://www.spotrac.com/mlb/payroll/

 

A larger fraction have budgets that acn in no way approach that limit...