JD Martinez Opts In To 2020 With Bosox, So The White Sox Have To Immediately Target Yasmani Grandal
If you asked me just a few months or even weeks ago, I would have said JD Martinez would absolutely opt out of the remaining 3 years, $62.5MM left he’d stand to earn with Boston. He’s one of the very best pure hitters in baseball and one would think he’d get at least a 4 year deal at the same AAV, right?
Well… maybe he would have. I do believe the White Sox would have paid him more than he’s currently due in Boston but all that is is conjecture at this point now that he’s opted in for at least one more season in Boston, assuming he’s not dealt. As the season winded down and people were taking a deeper look into Martinez’ market, it was pretty clear that it’d be limited. The Red Sox are desperate to shed payroll and there are 15 teams in the NL who probably don’t want him patrolling their outfields. There were realistically only 3-4 teams that were *maybe* going to be in play for him, and maybe even fewer than that, if he elected for free agency.
I would like to make one thing clear though – Scott Boras didn’t just call up to Rick Hahn or Rangers’ GM Jon Daniels and ask them, “what would you guys pay for JD Martinez if we decide to opt out with the Red Sox?!?” That is called tampering and though you may have very recently read that, it’s highly illegal. Boras would be punished for asking it, Rick Hahn and Jon Daniels would be punished for answering it and it never happened, at least not that simply. And even if Boras *did* bluntly try to tamper at the Red Sox expense, GM’s would be under no obligation at all to be forthright with him. That’s how you lose leverage in a negotiation.
Now Boras is obviously the best agent in baseball and knows how to work around a rule or two I’m sure. He knew what JD’s market was and what his earning potential on the open market would be. But he never approached the White Sox or Rangers and asked what they’d give JD. JD Martinez was/is under contract with the Red Sox. Can’t negotiate a new deal with a player or his reps unless they’re a free agent and Martinez was not, in fact, a free agent. If anything, there were maybe (probably?) back alley convos about him, but he didn’t just bluntly ask any other org what they’d pay for Martinez’ services.
Anyways…
…This isn’t the worst news in the world for White Sox fans. It would have been great had Boras and JD decided to opt out and the Sox eventually landed him, and there’s still a path to doing so, but it’ll be completely on Martinez’ terms. Per Chris Cotillo, he can now amend the teams on his NTC:
and the White Sox will almost assuredly be on there. So if the White Sox do attempt to deal for him, I’d be shocked if the Red Sox don’t need JD’s approval to do so. In that hypothetical, maybe he accepts, maybe he doesn’t. If not? Shit happens. Next man up.
I said last week that this offseason might be a real drag because Boras controls the majority of the top of the market. Rendon, Strasburg, and Cole are probably the three best free agents available and he controls them all. Martinez is a rung below them as is Nick Castellanos, but now that JD’s off the market Boras can focus on his other guys more. Might be a pipe dream, but I hope this expedites the offseason just a hair.
But the White Sox need to IMMEDIATELY shift to targeting Yasmani Grandal. They have have have to do so. McCann had a great 1st half and plummeted back to earth after the all star game. Though I love how he works with the staff, he’d be best suited to catch 60 games, DH 20-30 games, take over as Gio’s personal catcher and be in the lineup against LHP. That’s a perfect role for him on this team. It will set both him and the White Sox up for optimal success.
So go and get Yasmani Grandal. Yes, he’s on the wrong side of 30. Yes, catchers tend to see their productivity decline rapidly at his age. But he hasn’t really shown signs of wearing down, like… at all. A switch hitter that walks at a ~15% clip that hits for power and plays plus defense? Sign me the FUCK up. He’s just what the doctor ordered for the White Sox. Hahn has said it himself. The White Sox need to improve their OBP and they need a left handed power bat. Grandal checks both of those boxes off and then some.
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I’ve noticed a lot of “sky is falling” tweets from Sox fans after the JD news dump last night. That is FAR from the case. I still predict we will be very happy with the offseason. There are still good DH options left. Encarnacion can still hit and would be a cheap sign. Nick Castellanos rakes, though he’d be way more expensive. The path to a good ball club is right in front of the Sox faces still, now they just have to grow some balls and make some moves. MLB Trade Rumors predicted that the Sox land Castellanos, Keuchel and resign Abreu. Add a few relief arms to that and trade for a quality RF and we should all love that type of offseason. Now go and fucking do it. Thank you.