The New Red Sox Guy Is Lacking

In my card collection, that is.

The Boston Red Sox and J.D. Martinez finally came to terms the other day. Today I looked through my Astros, Tigers, and Diamondbacks cards to see what kind of PC I had of him. It's pretty sparse. I only have four. That's right, 1...2...3...4.  And they're all from Topps flagship sets, so nothing too special.

So where will Mr. Martinez and his big bat fit into the Red Sox lineup? He's been an outfielder his whole career so far. But the Sox are loaded in the outfield with Betts, Bradley, and Benintendi. Designated hitter sounds like the most likely place for him.  That will push out Hanley Ramirez, who's talking that he's ready for an All-Star caliber season.  To keep Ramirez's bat in the lineup, he could play first base (his shoulders are supposed to be better now).  But that in turn pushes out newly resigned Mitch Moreland, the current first baseman.

 

New manager Joey Cora said a couple of days ago that players don't play 162 games any more these days.  I think what he meant is that the Red Sox players should expect more games off this season than before.  With all these bats to fit into the batting order, that sounds like a good idea.  If everybody gets significant games off over the season, that presents lots of defensive shifting, but keeps everyone's bat fresh.  When Ramirez is off, Moreland can play first.  When Martinez is off, Ramirez can DH and Moreland can play first.  When Betts, Benintendi or Bradley are off, Martinez can switch to outfield, Ramirez can DH, and Moreland can play first.  There's no doubt that Moreland and Ramirez will be most affected by the presence of Martinez.  They'll likely platoon at first and pinch hit for each other depending on which paw the opposing pitcher is later in games.

 

As for the deal itself, it's kind of a mixed blessing. If you're the Red Sox what's the best outcome? Do you want Martinez to play incredible ball, putting up video game stats for two years, then opting to leave for a bigger contract elsewhere? Or do you want him not to put up good numbers so that there is no better money after two years and he sticks around?  Or is there a third possibility, that he plays out of this world for two years, then the Red Sox renegotiate the contract?  I hope that's what happens.

 

I can't wait to get my hands on some of his first Red Sox cards! I'm hoping it's not too late to get him into the Bowman and Finest Refractors sets. (Maybe even Topps Series 2)