UPDATE (Monday, 7:15 p.m. ET): Here’s a full breakdown of J.D. Martinez’s reported deal with the Boston Red Sox:
Click for why landing Martinez is huge deal for Red Sox >>
Click for Red Sox’s projected lineup after Martinez deal >>
UPDATE (Monday, 5:30 p.m. ET): J.D. Martinez has agreed to a deal with the Boston Red Sox, according to ESPN’s Pedro Gomez.
According to Jon Morosi of MLB Network and FOX Sports, Martinez’s deal with Boston is for $110 million over five years and includes an opt-out clause.
Gomez is hearing that Martinez, who turns 31 in August, can opt out after two years.
ORIGINAL STORY: The Boston Red Sox might soon add a significant piece to their starting lineup.
A source close to the situation informed FanRag Sports’ Jon Heyman on Monday that outfielder J.D. Martinez is moving closer to a deal with the Boston Red Sox.
NBC Sports Boston’s Evan Drellich confirmed the report a short time later, although Red Sox president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski only would confirm the club’s interest in general terms.
ESPN’s Buster Olney threw his reporting in the mix, too.
And The Boston Globe’s Peter Abraham also reported a deal was close, even noting that the structure for a contract already was in place.
Drellich had reported earlier in the day Monday — before Heyman’s report of the sides nearing a deal — that Martinez and the Red Sox still were negotiating.
Red Sox principal owner John Henry and chairman Tom Werner addressed the media Monday morning at JetBlue Park in Fort Myers, Fla., but were mum when asked about Martinez’s free agency.
“I think you should talk to Dave (Dombrowski) about that,” Werner told reporters. “Obviously there’s no news, but I think you should ask Dave that question.”
Martinez, 30, is coming off a 2017 season in which he hit .303 with 45 home runs, 104 RBIs and a 1.066 OPS in 119 games split between the Detroit Tigers and Arizona Diamondbacks.
Details of a potential deal between Martinez and the Red Sox are unclear at this point, but these reports are an encouraging sign for those hoping the slugger lands in Boston to provide the offense with some much-needed power.
