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Boston Red Sox: Absolutely yes to a J.D. Martinez contract restructure

By Tarringo Basile-vaughan

BOSTON, MA - JULY 14: J.D. Martinez #28 and Brock Holt #12 of the Boston Red Sox celebrate in the dugout in the bottom of the fourth inning of the game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Fenway Park on July 14, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - JULY 14: J.D. Martinez #28 and Brock Holt #12 of the Boston Red Sox celebrate in the dugout in the bottom of the fourth inning of the game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Fenway Park on July 14, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images) /
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The way J.D. Martinez has performed during the first half of the season, the Boston Red Sox have to think about restricting his current deal to keep him around longer.

You know that five-year, $110 million contract J.D. Martinez and the Boston Red Sox agreed to this past offseason? It seems like quite the bargain now as the team sits atop the American League East with a 68-30 record led by the veteran slugger who is putting up historic number.

Yes, Martinez has made a believer out of us all.  Not only is he producing with 29 homers and 80 RBI heading into the All-Star break, he is providing a leadership on and off the field that has been missing since the days of that guy who wore No. 34.

That alone has made Martinez a value signing.  And while the true measure of his value will come in the second half of the season and into the playoffs, the Red Sox have to think ahead to those opt-outs that were a part of the $110 million deal.

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With the option of opting out after his second or third season in Boston, Martinez would probably do so and demand the kind of money he thought he was worth this offseason. If he keeps up his current pace at the plate, teams will certainly be ready to back up the brinks truck next time around.

And you better believe his agent, Scott Boras, will seek every dollar he can get.  So, if the Boston Red Sox want to keep J.D. Martinez around long term, it’s time to think about restructuring that deal.

Playing in the uniform he rooted for as a kid, Martinez is definitely down with making Fenway Park his home for years to come.

"“Absolutely,” Martinez said regarding a possible contract restructure.  “It would obviously have to be discussed later.  Yeah, I’ve liked my time there.  It’s been fun so far, so I don’t see why not.”"

The leader within

The All-Star slugger has proved he can make the transition to Boston better than Hanley Ramirez and Pablo Sandoval were able to.  Although he is a relatively quiet star, his presence speaks volumes in the way he has helped young players like Andrew Benintendi and Rafael Devers.

It is that leadership that may just get this team over the hump in the playoffs.  It is also an aspect of his professionalism that he has grown into this season with this particular team.

"“I think it’s something I’ve grown into becoming,” Martinez said in regard to his leadership.  “I was never really that in Detroit.  I kind of got a little bit of it in Arizona.  Here it has kind of forced me to take that step, and it’s a step I feel comfortable with right now.”"

Overall, Martinez is also growing comfortable being a start in a city like Boston.  With expectations high, he is producing when it counts.  That is something any Boston Red Sox fan will applaud and something the front office will have on their minds if and when they step back to the negotiating table.

Next: The 5 greatest Boston Red Sox hitters in franchise history

As to what we have seem so far, absolutely yes to restructuring the contract of J.D. Martinez…at least for now anyway.

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