Locker open should Martinez opt for Arizona return
Arizona Diamonbacks manager Torey Lovullo appreciated the investigative skills of media poking around Salt River Fields clubhouse, taking notice of an open spot where No. 28 would belong in the sequential pattern of assigned lockers.
No. 28, of course, was worn for the second half of last season by outfielder J.D. Martinez. The free agent outfielder is reportedly weighing offers from multiple teams, including a high-dollar, short-term deal from the Diamondbacks.
Lovullo is more than willing to leave the light on for Martinez.
"I think 28 and 29 are numbers that are available. I don't know," Lovullo said. "I've said it many times: J.D. was a huge part of our ballclub last year, and I know that there's 30 teams that are available to him, and I'll leave it at that. I don't know anything else."
Martinez, 30, reportedly became frustrated with the state of negotiations with the Boston Red Sox. The Boston Herald reported the five-year, $125 million offer on the table from the Red Sox was well below what Martinez and his agent, Scott Boras, expected this offseason.
The market itself has been a major offseason storyline, but after he smacked 45 home runs and helped protect Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt in the Arizona lineup, Martinez anticipated being a coveted bat in free agency.
That might still be the case.
Boras said last week he expects roster reality to be a variable that plays in the favor of several of his key clients, including Martinez, Kansas City Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer and third baseman Mike Moustakas, and starting pitcher Jake Arrieta.
--Field Level Media
