Another day, another team attached to J.D. Martinez. Is this a real rumor though, or just a leverage play from agent Scott Boras? Let’s talk through it.
Rumor Grade: J.D. Martinez to the Nationals
A real possibility, or just a leverage play?
Photo by Harry How/Getty Images
The rumor
According to industry sources, via Chris Cotillo, a dark horse in Martinez talks could be the Nationals. Their outfield is technically full right now, but he’s at least connected via word of mouth.
Why it makes sense for the Nationals
The reasoning is the same for any team that targets him in free agency. Martinez has some sweet dingers for sale, and the team that lands him will get those dingers working for them instead of against them.
Now, the Nationals don’t need that offense quite as much as Boston does — they hit 215 home runs in 2017 as opposed to Boston’s 168, but if Bryce Harper leaves, then they would need Martinez’s bat even more. If that happens, they’d need his services in the outfield, too.
He wouldn’t be able to DH with Washington, so the Nats would have to rearrange the outfield to make room for him on a regular basis. If that is the price of having his bat in the lineup consistently, it’s worth it.
Why it makes sense for J.D. Martinez
Again, this is the case for any team with salary flexibility that he’s connected to — he’s going to get paid. The Nationals, like the Red Sox, are contenders next season, and it could be their last push with Harper as he faces free agency a year from now.
It also makes sense, maybe if not for Martinez then at least his camp, because connecting him to other teams gives them leverage to get a payday elsewhere. He’s been connected to a few teams, but not all of them can afford the $200 million that he’s hoping to land.
He’d have to play in the outfield though, as there’s no option for him to DH with the Nationals. How much weight he’s giving the need to be a designated hitter or not as he gets older is tough to tell at this point.
Rumor grade
B-. It could work out for both sides if this came to pass, so it’s not an entirely out-there rumor, but this seems much more like a Boras-manufactured leverage play than anything else. If the talks get more serious, maybe we can reassess. But right now, this reeks of Martinez -- a Boras client — seeking to gain leverage by alluding to the possible departure of Harper -- another Boras client — a year from now.
See More:
