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MLB free agency 2017: 5 best spots for J.D. Martinez

By Joshua Sadlock

PHOENIX, AZ - JULY 26: J.D. Martinez (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ - JULY 26: J.D. Martinez (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images) /
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TORONTO, ON – SEPTEMBER 24: Jose Bautista #19 of the Toronto Blue Jays waves to the fans after he is pulled from the game in the ninth inning during MLB game action against the New York Yankees at Rogers Centre on September 24, 2017 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON – SEPTEMBER 24: Jose Bautista #19 of the Toronto Blue Jays waves to the fans after he is pulled from the game in the ninth inning during MLB game action against the New York Yankees at Rogers Centre on September 24, 2017 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /

4. Toronto Blue Jays

The Toronto Blue Jays learned the hard way in 2017 that playing it safe in free agency is no way to keep up in the loaded AL East. The team made an early attempt to re-sign Edwin Encarnacion, but moved on immediately after he turned down their initial offer. Ultimately, both sides probably wish they would have waited the market out. Encarnacion ended up signing with the Cleveland Indians for less guaranteed money than the Jays offered him.

Toronto attempted to replace Encarnacion with Kendrys Morales and Steve Pearce. Both are good enough players, but do not bring nearly the same intimidation factor as Encarnacion. The Jays slumped to a miserable .240/.312/.412 team slash line, scored the fewest runs in the American League and went 76-86.

The Blue Jays are one of the oldest teams in the league and have sunk a ton of money into their current roster. With Josh Donaldson hitting free agency after the 2018 season, the Jays need to be in win-now mode. The starting pitching is there, but the lineup needs more depth.

J.D. Martinez is the perfect replacement for Jose Bautista in right field for Toronto. If Donaldson does leave next winter, Martinez is the type of player who could help carry the offense until Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette are ready to lead the next great Toronto offense. It might be a stretch to expect the Jays to be able to afford to pay Martinez a premium to come up to Canada, but they cannot entrust right field to Teoscar Hernandez if they still want to try and contend next year.

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