Report: Teams believe Boras wants $200M for J.D. Martinez
J.D. Martinez is a free agent for the first time, and it seems like he and his agent have eyes on a big-time contract.
Although it's very early in the process, teams that have reached out to Martinez's camp have reportedly gotten the impression that his agent, Scott Boras, is searching for a contract worth around $200, ESPN's Jerry Crasnick reported Wednesday.
It's not known what teams have already reached out to Boras regarding Martinez. The Arizona Diamondbacks, who employed Martinez for the final two months of 2017, are reportedly set on doing "everything" to re-sign him this winter.
Related: Boras expects D-Backs to offer Martinez contract
Boras - who was hired by Martinez just before the free-agency period began - has a long history of securing financial windfalls for his star clients. Some of the more recent megadeals he negotiated included Chris Davis' seven-year, $161-million deal with Baltimore prior to the 2016 season, and a seven-year, $175-million contract for Nationals star Stephen Strasburg that was signed this past May.
Boras should have a busy offseason at the negotiating tables. In addition to representing Martinez, the super-agent also counts three other premier free agents among his clientele in Eric Hosmer, Mike Moustakas, and Jake Arrieta.
The 29-year-old Martinez is coming off the finest season of his seven-year career. Despite losing time in April due to a foot injury, he hit .303 with a 1.066 OPS, 45 home runs, 104 RBIs, and an MLB-leading .690 slugging percentage over 119 games split between the Diamondbacks and Detroit Tigers.
Martinez made $11.75 million this past season.