Is J.D. Martinez a Viable Option for the San Francisco Giants?

It looks like the San Francisco Giants are all-in for the 2018 season, so does that mean J.D. Martinez is now a viable option to play in the outfield?

There haven’t been many reports of the Giants having interest in Martinez since the beginning of the offseason. But as the hot stove season lingers, it looks like the Giants could re-enter the bidding.

At this point, we are to presume that the front office is willing to do whatever it takes to win in 2018 — even if that means going over the luxury tax.

Martinez might be the best available bat on the market this offseason. He certainly would give the Giants the pop in the middle of the order they are seeking.

The biggest problem with Martinez is that he’s probably wanting a six to seven year deal worth about $23 million a year.

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He’ll play most of next season at age 30, and he’s only played more than 123 games in a season once. However, he’s hit 22 or more home runs in the past four seasons despite the limited playing time.

I really think Martinez makes more sense in the American League where he can DH. The team he’s been linked to the most is the Boston Red Sox, but there really aren’t any other teams pushing the price up at the moment.

If the Red Sox are unwilling to give him the years he’s looking for, maybe the Giants can get creative and sneak him into the budget with a back loaded contract.

He’s mostly played right field the past few years, but I’d be tempted to move him to left field in San Francisco.

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Martinez certainly looks like the best available bat right now, and the Giants could definitely use him. But ultimately, I don’t see him being a fit for this team at that type of money over six or seven years with the injury history he’s had.

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