One of the many top free agents still available ahead of the 2018 MLB season is J.D. Martinez. A new report is suggesting that the Arizona Diamondbacks — with whom Martinez finished the 2017 season — are looking at “creative” ways to bring him back.
The Diamondbacks know that they can’t match the total numbers of a team like the Boston Red Sox, who are also vying for Martinez. Boston has a much bigger budget than Arizona, and that’s before we consider the D-Backs are saving up so they can retain Paul Goldschmidt after 2019.
“Arizona does have some other advantages over Boston, however, including the ability to have Martinez play his preferred outfield position (his role in Boston would be DH primarily) and familiarity,” Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports noted. “Martinez is said to have loved his time in Arizona — and why not, he slugged like almost no one in baseball.”
Heyman also suggested that “creative” could mean “a higher AAV (average annual value) and shorter term with opt-outs included.” Certainly, if keeping Martinez is plausible, Arizona should do everything it can to make that happen.
Between the Diamondbacks and Detroit Tigers, Martinez hit .303/.376/.690 with 45 home runs in 2017. His power, in particular, really elevated after the trade to Arizona. Over 232 at-bats and 62 games with the Diamondbacks, Martinez hit .302/.366/.741 with 29 home runs.