Boston Red Sox: J.D. Martinez needs to bounce back in 2021

After a disappointing 2020 season, J.D. Martinez has picked up his player option and will remain a Boston Red Sox.

The 2020 season was a disappointing one all around for the Boston Red Sox. They struggled as a team and dealt with some major injury issues. One player who struggled the most in 2020 was J.D. Martinez and that forced him to forgo free agency and pick up his player option.

Even in a shortened MLB season, Martinez’s numbers were shocking. Martinez finished the season with a .213 batting average with 7 home runs and 27 RBIs. It doesn’t get much worse than that.

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While the power numbers were obviously lacking, the batting average is the most concerning stat. It was the worst performance of his entire career. He struggled mightily at the plate in 2020.

This upcoming offseason was supposed to be where Martinez cashed in on one final big deal, but due to his struggles that won’t be the case. Martinez will be staying put in Boston.

If the Red Sox want to have any sort of success in 2021 they will need Martinez to be better. If he has another season as he did in 2020, Boston will likely just let him walk.

Martinez needs to be a key part of Boston’s run production. In a full season, he needs to be hitting 30 home runs and 100 RBIs. If he is unable to there is no point in keeping him on Boston’s roster.

The Red Sox will be going through a rebuilding phase. They aren’t contenders in the AL East anymore. They need to focus in on acquiring some young talent and building around players like Xander Bogaerts and Rafael Devers.

Entering his mid 30’s, Martinez is nearing the end of his career. He was able to win a World Series with Boston but he will want to end his career on a high note.

At the minimum that will mean having a quality season in 2021. This will give him the opportunity to either retire into the sunset or get his last contract somewhere else and get a fresh start.

If he doesn’t, Martinez’s career could end with a whimper and his great performances will be long forgotten.

So no matter what Martinez has planned for his career. He will be hoping to have a much better season in 2021. Boston Red Sox fans will definitley be expecting much more from him at the plate next season.