Boston Red Sox: 3 players who need monster seasons in 2021

Boston Red Sox DH J.D. Martinez needs to have a monster year

Speaking of playing for the next contract, Boston Red Sox slugger J.D. Martinez wants to atone for his struggles in the shortened 60-game season in 2021 with a big year.

After opting in for the 2021 season, Martinez will have another opportunity to opt out following the season and it would benefit him to have a monster year, similar to his first two seasons as a member of the Red Sox.

Putting his disappointing season on a flawed swing mostly due to a couple of minor injuries, Martinez is both focused and motivated to take vengeance on the 2021 MLB season.

In fact, he has a chip on his shoulder that should greatly benefit the team this upcoming season.

"“I think I’ve got a little bit of a chip on my shoulder,” Martinez said during spring training, via MLB.com.  “I’ve always played with that, I’ve always played with a chip, having to prove people wrong my whole career.  It kind of might have went away a little bit, but I think I’ve got it back a little bit now.”"

Coming off his worst season statistically.  That motivation does seem to be back, especially coming off a season in which he hit just .213 with seven homers in that 60-game season.

With no time to make things right, J.D. Martinez is aiming to re-gain that dominance at the plate that made him such a tough out in 2019 and 2020.

If he turns back into that hitter, it will be beneficial both to the Red Sox offense and Martinez, wo could test free agency again and this time around may find another team willing to pay him some big-time dough.

With some younger sluggers emerging, namely Bobby Dalbec, the end does seem near for J.D. Martinez in a Boston Red Sox uniform.  It’s up to him to bring it in 2020 to show he’s a valuable piece for any contending team.  He certainly seems motived to do so.