3 Red Sox players who won’t be back next season

1. J.D. Martinez or Kyle Schwarber

This isn’t trying to be a cop-out. The Red Sox have big decisions to make when it comes to J.D. Martinez and Kyle Schwarber.

Martinez can opt-out of the final year of his contract worth $19.4 million with an eye on playing the market with the universal DH possibly arriving. He could also have trade value for Boston when it comes down to it.

Meanwhile, Schwarber has a mutual option with the team worth $11.5 million.

It makes sense for the Red Sox to see the two as an either-or situation since Schwarber may not have the defensive chops to justify a regular place as a position player.

Either Martinez opts-in and they roll with him for another season while letting Scwarber walk or they wave goodbye to Martinez with Schwarber representing a cheaper DH option.