Does JD Martinez own a first baseman's glove?

[radatz17]

After recently seeing his hitting splits between his DH games and his time in the outfield in his great first season in Boston, it is clear that he hits much better when he is on the field. It is also clear that our outfield is better defended by the trio of Benintendi, Bradley and Betts. And, another factor is that Martinez will far out produce the combination of Moreland and Pearce even if both guys were great teammates in this championship season.

 

I see him as the classic hitter who needs to move to first base ASAP. Lots of other hitters have made this move (Banks, Yaz, Aaron, Mantle, etc) to keep their bats in the lineup while also helping their team defensively.

 

With Martinez athletic ability there is no question he could handle first base. He also is a student of the game, so learning and understanding the mental parts of the position will not be a problem either.

 

If he does not yet have a good first baseman's glove we should all donate a few dimes to get him one. Your thoughts..

[notin]

This does need to happen this year. At least against tough LHP and in NL parks...

[Bellhorn04]

It's not a bad thought. But maybe JD is insistent on playing some outfield. Maybe he genuinely likes it.

 

It wasn't a problem in 2018, it really wasn't. And for all the grousing about NL rules, we still kicked butt in those NL parks.

 

We're talking about trying to tweak what was nearly perfect.

[notin]

It's not a bad thought. But maybe JD is insistent on playing some outfield. Maybe he genuinely likes it.

 

It wasn't a problem in 2018, it really wasn't. And for all the grousing about NL rules, we still kicked butt in those NL parks.

 

We're talking about trying to tweak what was nearly perfect.

 

And when it’s nearly perfect, all you should do is tweak...

[OH FOY]

If I was JD, I would say, Hell Yes, I'll try 1st base. gives me a year to learn the Position, and if he hits close to like last year, gives him a lot of Options to Opt. Out. Teams will be looking for a good hitting 1st Baseman, Decent RF, and DH. By going to 1st and doing decent Opens up the National League Market for him, a lot more then just RF. Edited November 9, 2018 by OH FOY!

[Dojji]

No NL team in the league would balk at JD martinez as an everyday OF. This isn't Manny we're talking about. He isn't even all that bad as a defensive corner OF, he grades out at maybe a tick or two below average, which his bat is more than good enough to justify. The only reason he didn't play more outfield here is he's completely outclassed by our regulars at every outfield position he plays. But that's true of nearly every other outfielder in Major League Baseball, so no sane person would hold it against him.

 

I wouldn't be surprised if this was experimented with, after all first base is where our biggest hole is right now. But I also don't see an incredible need for this.

[notin]

It’s not an incredible need. But when the time comes, most fans would probably prefer to bench Moreland over Benintendi...

[SoxnCycles]

It’s not an incredible need. But when the time comes, most fans would probably prefer to bench Moreland over Benintendi...

 

What do they know??

[Slasher9]

i recommend the Nokona X2 Elite. i just picked one up for Manny. it's an amazing glove....kangaroo hide is soft like warm butter.

http://www.nokona.mybigcommerce.com/x2-n70first-base/

[jacksonianmarch]

JD has a -5 UZR/150 in short time in the Boston OF. He was at -18 in 2017, so that’s an improvement, lol. He’s not a tick below average. He’s considerably below average. His bat makes up for it. The idea of him playing 1b makes sense. He’s an FA after 2019 and in 2019, you’ve got two GG winners and a third guy far more capable defensively in Beni.

[Dojji]

But because the bat makes up for it, my overall point stands. No MLB team in either league would balk at playing JD in the outfield unless they had 3 better options like we do..

[OH FOY]

Arizona had no problem sticking him in the Outfield. Probably the difference in them making the Play-offs, because of his bat. 29 HRS in 62 Games, they weren't worried too much about his Defense.

This Opt. out has to be taken seriously.

[moonslav59]

It's not so much about JD's abilities (or lack of them) in the OF, it's more about benching JBJ (or Beni) instead of Moreland.

[jacksonianmarch]

But because the bat makes up for it, my overall point stands. No MLB team in either league would balk at playing JD in the outfield unless they had 3 better options like we do..

 

Of course, but if he can play 1b and you can keep your OF intact, wouldn’t that make more sense? Wouldn’t it make more sense to get him in the field if he is a better hitter when he’s out there? And where’s the harm in trying to get him in the field? If he goes to ST and they throw him a 1b mitt and he’s reasonable out there, then it only increases his value. If he’s entirely abysmal, then they can scrap it and have him split time at DH and OF.

[jacksonianmarch]

Arizona had no problem sticking him in the Outfield. Probably the difference in them making the Play-offs, because of his bat. 29 HRS in 62 Games, they weren't worried too much about his Defense.

This Opt. out has to be taken seriously.

 

You want him to opt out. That means he has a great 2019 as well. Currently, he’s an all stick, no glove DH who fakes it in the OF. If he opts out, that means he has another strong offensive season in the middle of your lineup. If he doesn’t opt out, then his 2019 won’t have been good. Sox fans should plan on him opting out and expect a solid 2019.

[moonslav59]

Of course, but if he can play 1b and you can keep your OF intact, wouldn’t that make more sense? Wouldn’t it make more sense to get him in the field if he is a better hitter when he’s out there? And where’s the harm in trying to get him in the field? If he goes to ST and they throw him a 1b mitt and he’s reasonable out there, then it only increases his value. If he’s entirely abysmal, then they can scrap it and have him split time at DH and OF.

 

If 1B is going to be tried, you don't wait until spring training. You talk to him and see if he's okay with the idea and ask him to start working out taking grounders with a FBman mitt and scooping low throws before ST'ing begins.

[notin]

JD became the first player to win the Silver Slugger in two different positions (OF,DH) in the same season. Maybe next year he can win it for three...

[moonslav59]

You want him to opt out. That means he has a great 2019 as well. Currently, he’s an all stick, no glove DH who fakes it in the OF. If he opts out, that means he has another strong offensive season in the middle of your lineup. If he doesn’t opt out, then his 2019 won’t have been good. Sox fans should plan on him opting out and expect a solid 2019.

 

I'm not so sure he makes more money after having a big 2019 season. Look what Papi made, and he was one of the top 2 DHs of alltime. (Papi could play 1B as well as JD plays the OF, and he did play 1B in NL parks.)

[OH FOY]

http://sonsofsamhorn.net/index.php?threads/is-jd-martinez-a-good-defensive-outfielder.24237/

[jacksonianmarch]

I'm not so sure he makes more money after having a big 2019 season. Look what Papi made, and he was one of the top 2 DHs of alltime. (Papi could play 1B as well as JD plays the OF, and he did play 1B in NL parks.)

 

Papi never called the FO's bluff. JD has no loyalty to Boston and has Boras as a client. In the age of grip it and rip it hitters, JD is the rare guy who can slug 40 homers and hit over .300. His skills will translate to one more big contract as long as he survives 2019 healthy

[OH FOY]

Probably Fans are saying he is not good for that blunder in Dodgers Stadium. Where actual Ballplayers have said that Park at that time is a nightmare.

[moonslav59]

Papi never called the FO's bluff. JD has no loyalty to Boston and has Boras as a client. In the age of grip it and rip it hitters, JD is the rare guy who can slug 40 homers and hit over .300. His skills will translate to one more big contract as long as he survives 2019 healthy

 

Papi hit over .300 seven times and had over 40 HRs five times. He did both in his final year.

 

He also hit over....

 

.282 ten times

 

30 HRs ten times

[jacksonianmarch]

Papi hit over .300 seven times and had over 40 HRs five times. He did both in his final year.

 

He also hit over....

 

.282 ten times

 

30 HRs ten times

 

I get that, but Papi never seriously entered the FA market. He always ended up taking what the sox were willing to give. JD will hit the market again. Boras will parade around his bat as a trophy for teams ready to make the next step. He will go to the highest bidder.

[moonslav59]

I get that, but Papi never seriously entered the FA market. He always ended up taking what the sox were willing to give. JD will hit the market again. Boras will parade around his bat as a trophy for teams ready to make the next step. He will go to the highest bidder.

 

I get that, but he will be 2 years older, thought of as a DH first not an OF'er, and $25M is a lot for anyone to pay a DH.

 

Yes, he will go to the highest bidder, but it may not go beyond $25M. He may get $25M x 4 or 5 years.

[jacksonianmarch]

I get that, but he will be 2 years older, thought of as a DH first not an OF'er, and $25M is a lot for anyone to pay a DH.

 

Yes, he will go to the highest bidder, but it may not go beyond $25M. He may get $25M x 4 or 5 years.

 

I actually think that's exactly what he will get. If he goes out and mashes, he will get a 5 yr $125 mil contract.

[moonslav59]

I actually think that's exactly what he will get. If he goes out and mashes, he will get a 5 yr $125 mil contract.

 

So, he'll get the same, as I said, but just more years.

[jacksonianmarch]

JD may have gotten $25 mil in 2018 and will again in 2019, but after that, he drops down $5 mil per year. He will turn a non guaranteed 5 yr $110 into a 7 yr $175 mil before all is said and done

[moonslav59]

JD may have gotten $25 mil in 2018 and will again in 2019, but after that, he drops down $5 mil per year. He will turn a non guaranteed 5 yr $110 into a 7 yr $175 mil before all is said and done

 

$5M?????

 

Here's cots...

 

J.D. Martinez rf-dh

5 years/$110M (2018-22)

 

5 years/$110M (2018-22)

signed by Boston as a free agent 2/26/18

18:$23.75M, 19:$23.75M, 20:$23.75M, 21:$19.375M, 22:$19.375M

may opt out of contract after both 2019 ($2.5M buyout) and 2020 seasons (no buyout)

2021 and 2022 seasons become mutual options if Martinez has a Lisfranc injury or complication to his right foot causing him to be:

1) on the disabled list for 60 days or more in previous season, or

2) on the disabled list for 10 days or more in the previous season and 120 days or more in the two previous seasons combined, or

3) on the disabled list at the end of the previous season and found not able to play at the start of the next season

limited no-trade protection (may block deals to 3 clubs annually)

[Sox75]

If I'm the Sox, I offer an extension of 72 mill for the first 3 years, & add 4 years at an average of 22 million. $154 million total, 7 years.

 

Any reason that couldn't happen?

[moonslav59]

If I'm the Sox, I offer an extension of 72 mill for the first 3 years, & add 4 years at an average of 22 million. $154 million total, 7 years.

 

Any reason that couldn't happen?

 

His age.