Universal DH Could Screw Red Sox and End JD Martinez's Time in Boston
By Adam Weinrib
Smile if your chances of a hefty payday just greatly increased!
JD Martinez and the Boston Red Sox have been a perfect marriage since the slugger worked out his final medical kinks and arrived prior to the 2018 season. In his first campaign in Boston, Martinez challenged for the triple crown and led the Sox to a World Series in. If the team could pledge that success would be replicated annually, they certainly would.
However, Martinez's contract with the Red Sox is chock full of opt-outs, and there's another opportunity for him to depart looming after 2020. If the universal DH gets implemented sooner rather than later, Mookie Betts won't be the only high-profile name flitting around Boston fans' lips during the next winter.
Considering the climate, this is about 46594th on the list of concerns right now, but...
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) May 11, 2020
If universal DH is adopted for '20, it might be for '21. And J.D. Martinez (who can opt out) has his list of potential suitors double. https://t.co/aqhE5GQYd9
Not to call Martinez and the Sox a marriage of convenience, but with only 14 other DH options in the American League at the moment, his suitors are limited. But if the NL suddenly adopts the DH, an entire list of teams that have never thought about filling the position before would have a brand new roster hole to deal with.
If Martinez sees that as an opportunity for more long-term security than Boston can offer, he might bolt for greener pastures.
https://t.co/a342IeBPK6 As part of the story heard current MLB posture is to offer players a percentage (maybe half) of whatever revenues there are this year. Also that a DH in both leagues is part of the proposal as well.
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) May 10, 2020
We have a long way to go, and plenty more agreements to be made, before the universal DH becomes a part of this bizarre 2020 MLB season. But, if ratified, the Red Sox might face a far greater risk of losing Martinez (who opted in prior to this season) than they ever expected.