10 MLB moves that need to happen before the offseason ends

CHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 18: Jake Arrieta #49 of the Chicago Cubs stands on the mound in the seventh inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers during game four of the National League Championship Series at Wrigley Field on October 18, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

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LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 06: J.D. Martinez #28 of the Arizona Diamondbacks reacts at the end of the eighth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers in game one of the National League Division Series at Dodger Stadium on October 6, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

1. J.D. Martinez to the Red Sox

Maybe there’s a reason a deal this obvious has not yet been made, I don’t know. The Boston Red Sox suffered through a season-long power outage in their first year without David Ortiz and the one true power threat on the market appears to be their top target. J.D. Martinez, whose 45 home runs in 489 plate appearances last season project out to 60 for a full season, is exactly what the Red Sox need to counter the New York Yankees addition of Giancarlo Stanton.

So, why hasn’t he been signed yet?

There are a few potential snags that may be holding up the latest move in the AL East arms race between Boston and New York. For starters, the Red Sox are locked into one more year of Hanley Ramirez and already re-signed Mitch Moreland to play first base. Trading Ramirez an impossibility unless Boston eats all of his remaining salary. Ramirez also has a vesting option that will trigger if he stays healthy and gets starter’s at-bats for the entire season.

The Red Sox could just sign Martinez and force Ramirez into a part-time role at first base, but there are definitely better things to have around a clubhouse than a surly HanRam. Martinez has also stated that he prefers to continue playing outfield rather than switching to full-time DH. That may be nothing more than a ploy to keep as many potential suitors involved in the bidding, but only he and his agent know that. It really is only a matter of time before Martinez is forced to make that move, and Boston is one of the best cities in the league to put away the glove for good while still being treated like a god.

Ultimately, this is a deal that will get done. Martinez will not find the type of long-term deal he wants in the National League and the Red Sox are the lone AL team with the need for a power bat and the virtually limitless coffers required to hand out a nine-figure deal for a DH.

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