JD Martinez Triple Crown Chase.

Dahabenzapple2

Mr. McGuire / Axl's Counter
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Not sure where to put this but if read this correctly Jose Ramirez is signed through 2021 @ ~ $6 MM/year PLUS the Tribe has a team option for both 2022 & 2023!!!

Guy is worth $30 MM +++ per year as one of the best 3-4 players on the planet and he'll be playing for ~ 1/5 market or less until he's almost 30 years old.

Man is he is going to get bitter. When did he sign that contract? Looks like after he had his incredible 2017 season. Why on earth would he sign that contract????
 

judyb

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Not sure where to put this but if read this correctly Jose Ramirez is signed through 2021 @ ~ $6 MM/year PLUS the Tribe has a team option for both 2022 & 2023!!!

Guy is worth $30 MM +++ per year as one of the best 3-4 players on the planet and he'll be playing for ~ 1/5 market or less until he's almost 30 years old.

Man is he is going to get bitter. When did he sign that contract? Looks like after he had his incredible 2017 season. Why on earth would he sign that contract????
They extended him before his incredible 2017 season, but after his very good 2016 season.
 

Dahabenzapple2

Mr. McGuire / Axl's Counter
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They extended him before his incredible 2017 season, but after his very good 2016 season.
thanks

So he will be making <50% of his arbitration numbers for 2019 & 2020 and now a total of probably $100 million under market for 2021 through 2023.

Unless he is a way better person than most, he will become very bitter
 

williams_482

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thanks

So he will be making <50% of his arbitration numbers for 2019 & 2020 and now a total of probably $100 million under market for 2021 through 2023.

Unless he is a way better person than most, he will become very bitter
There have been a lot of extensions like this one in the past (Longoria being the most notable) and I don't recall any examples of players being outwardly "bitter" about them. Hell, Corey Kluber is a teammate of Ramirez who signed a similarly team-friendly contract after a similarly unexpected breakout. It's not like Ramirez was ignorant of the possibilities when he signed that deal.

Ramirez and his family are set for life financially, and he'll have a pretty good crack at a strong second contract when he does hit FA. I'm sure he's pretty happy with his long term financial position.
 

grimshaw

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And there is nothing stopping the Tribe from giving him another extension that raises his average salary nicely.
I kind of doubt they would do that given they would need to extend him into his early to mid 30's. They will have him through the peak of his peak and then can decide if they want to overpay for his decline years.
 

Papelbon's Poutine

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I kind of doubt they would do that given they would need to extend him into his early to mid 30's. They will have him through the peak of his peak and then can decide if they want to overpay for his decline years.
So either rip it up and redo it or tack on one year with a balloon payment that averages out over AAV (not that they’d need to worry about tax anyway). If they want to give him a raise to keep him happy, they can. I’m not sure they should and doubt they will, but it’s not impossible to do without exposing themselves to long term risk.
 

The Needler

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Now first in BA, but mostly because of Mookie's slump
JD is hitting .394 over the last month, and .402 since July 31. Mookie has hit .305 and .322 over the same stretches. When you hit .400, you're usually going to gain ground in a batting race.

And I don't think Mookie being 6 for his last 32 should get more credit for his overall (or recent) average than his 16 for 32 over eight games at the beginning of the month does. Because math.
 

BaseballJones

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Current status:

AVG: .335, tied for first with Betts (Betts has him by 0.00016 at the moment); tied for first in all MLB too
HR: 39, second, one behind Davis of Oak; second in MLB too
RBI: 115, first, Davis second at 106; first in all MLB too

At this point, Martinez is one homer and 0.00016 points away from being the triple crown leader *in all of MLB*, not just the AL.

I am trying to recall which free agent signings the Sox have had that have been as good as him in year one (Ortiz obviously had a monster career with the Sox after being signed, but I'm thinking just the first year after being signed). All I can think of are (both pitchers and hitters):

Martinez (2018): .335/.407/.641/1.048, 39 hr, 115 rbi, 177 ops+, 6.0 bWAR
Manny (2001): .306/.405/.609/1.014, 41 hr, 125 rbi, 162 ops+, 5.2 bWAR
Foulke (2004): 2.17 era, 32 sv, 0.94 whip, 8.6 k/9, 3.5 bWAR, and obvious postseason heroics
Koji (2013): 1.09 era, 21 sv, 0.57 whip, 12.2 k/9, 3.6 bWAR, and obvious postseason heroics

*I thought of Pedro and Schilling, who were both incredible in year one, but they were acquired by trade.

That's a pretty short list. Anyone I'm missing?
 

SirPsychoSquints

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Current status:

AVG: .335, tied for first with Betts (Betts has him by 0.00016 at the moment); tied for first in all MLB too
HR: 39, second, one behind Davis of Oak; second in MLB too
RBI: 115, first, Davis second at 106; first in all MLB too

At this point, Martinez is one homer and 0.00016 points away from being the triple crown leader *in all of MLB*, not just the AL.

I am trying to recall which free agent signings the Sox have had that have been as good as him in year one (Ortiz obviously had a monster career with the Sox after being signed, but I'm thinking just the first year after being signed). All I can think of are (both pitchers and hitters):

Martinez (2018): .335/.407/.641/1.048, 39 hr, 115 rbi, 177 ops+, 6.0 bWAR
Manny (2001): .306/.405/.609/1.014, 41 hr, 125 rbi, 162 ops+, 5.2 bWAR
Foulke (2004): 2.17 era, 32 sv, 0.94 whip, 8.6 k/9, 3.5 bWAR, and obvious postseason heroics
Koji (2013): 1.09 era, 21 sv, 0.57 whip, 12.2 k/9, 3.6 bWAR, and obvious postseason heroics

*I thought of Pedro and Schilling, who were both incredible in year one, but they were acquired by trade.

That's a pretty short list. Anyone I'm missing?
Bill Mueller (2003) 5.6 WAR, won batting title
Damon (2002) 4.9 WAR, led league in triples
Napoli (2013) 4.0 WAR, World Series
Beltre (2010) 7.8 WAR, led league in doubles
Victorino (2013) 6.1 WAR, World Series, led league in HBP
 

brandonchristensen

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I yearn for the day when his power module is turned back on. It’s anazing he’s only one behind when he has stopped hitting them for what feels like a month.
 

BaseballJones

ivanvamp
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Bill Mueller (2003) 5.6 WAR, won batting title
Damon (2002) 4.9 WAR, led league in triples
Napoli (2013) 4.0 WAR, World Series
Beltre (2010) 7.8 WAR, led league in doubles
Victorino (2013) 6.1 WAR, World Series, led league in HBP
Yep all good catches. Beltre really was amazing for them. Such a bummer they let him go.
 

Cesar Crespo

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DiceK had a 4.1 WAR in his first year, too. That same year, Okajima had a 2.9 WAR out of the bullpen in his first year.

Then you have lesser lites like Mark Bellhorn and Stephen Drew.
 
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uncannymanny

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Bill Mueller (2003) 5.6 WAR, won batting title
Damon (2002) 4.9 WAR, led league in triples
Napoli (2013) 4.0 WAR, World Series
Beltre (2010) 7.8 WAR, led league in doubles
Victorino (2013) 6.1 WAR, World Series, led league in HBP
Wow, I didn’t know Beltre put up almost 8 WAR that season. Just went and looked at his BR and was also surprised at how consistently good he’s been in the years between then and prior to this year.
 

Soxfan in Fla

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Wow, I didn’t know Beltre put up almost 8 WAR that season. Just went and looked at his BR and was also surprised at how consistently good he’s been in the years between then and prior to this year.
Starting with his year in Boston he has quietly taken his career from very good to great to borderline HoF to most likely first ballot HoF when you look at his stats and also the 5 GG’s. Amazing back half of his career and really just quietly done.
 

SirPsychoSquints

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4th all time in JAWS among third basemen, 3rd in total career WAR, 6th in peak.

Amongst SS, stiffer competition, he'd be - 4th, 4th and 6th, respectively. He just achieved his WAR in subtler and less even ways (the huge year in 2004 and uneven but still consistent excellence, partly relying on defense.
 

SirPsychoSquints

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4th all time in JAWS among third basemen, 3rd in total career WAR, 6th in peak.

Amongst SS, stiffer competition, he'd be - 4th, 4th and 6th, respectively. He just achieved his WAR in subtler and less even ways (the huge year in 2004 and uneven but still consistent excellence, partly relying on defense.
And why not - better JAWS than:
  1. George Brett
  2. Chipper Jones
  3. Robin Yount
  4. Ernie Banks
  5. Alan Trammell
  6. Derek Jeter
  7. Barry Larkin
  8. Scott Rolen
  9. Edgar Martinez
  10. Rod Carew
  11. Ryne Sandberg
  12. Lou Whitaker
  13. Roberto Alomar
  14. Jeff Bagwell
  15. Frank Thomas
  16. Jim Thome
  17. Miguel Cabrera
  18. Rafael Palmeiro
  19. Todd Helton
  20. Mark McGwire
  21. Pete Rose
  22. Tim Raines
  23. Manny Ramirez
  24. Griffey
  25. DiMaggio
  26. Duke Snider
  27. Carlos Beltran
  28. Al Kaline
  29. Reggie Jackson
  30. Larry Walker
  31. Tony Gwynn
  32. Every catcher ever
  33. Pedro
 

bakahump

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.... Amazing back half of his career and really just quietly done.
I see your Beltre and raise you a Nelson Cruz. Another guy whose back 9 has been amazing compared to the first half of his career.
2005-2012
695 Games (87 Season Avg)
355 Runs (44)
664 Hits (83)
153 2bs (19)
130 HR (16)
413 RBI (52)
821 OPS
112 OPS+

2013-2018 (age 32-37)
859 Games (143)
480 Run (80)
906 Hits (151)
144 2b (24)
229 HR (38)
590 RBI (98)
896 OPS
144 OPS+

MVP Votes in 2014 (7th), 2015 (6th),2016 (15th),2017 (10th), and no Doubt some this year.
 

DennyDoyle'sBoil

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I would think it is probably going to take another 4 to 7 home runs plus a batting average around .410 for JD to have a chance.

Mookie hasn't dipped below .335 since the sixth game of the season. The Sox are getting ready to face some good pitching so anything is possible and Mookie could dip. But I think it's going to take around .340. If you pencil in JD for about 70-75 more ABs and say, 65 PAs, that would mean another 27 hits. Seems like a pretty big ask if he also is going to need to focus on power to get the HRs. I guess that's why the triple crown is a thing.
 

Cesar Crespo

79
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Dec 22, 2002
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I see your Beltre and raise you a Nelson Cruz. Another guy whose back 9 has been amazing compared to the first half of his career.
2005-2012
695 Games (87 Season Avg)
355 Runs (44)
664 Hits (83)
153 2bs (19)
130 HR (16)
413 RBI (52)
821 OPS
112 OPS+

2013-2018 (age 32-37)
859 Games (143)
480 Run (80)
906 Hits (151)
144 2b (24)
229 HR (38)
590 RBI (98)
896 OPS
144 OPS+

MVP Votes in 2014 (7th), 2015 (6th),2016 (15th),2017 (10th), and no Doubt some this year.
He's a known cheater though so it's not surprising.
 

Reverend

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I don't get the impression, though, that JD is the kind of hitter who needs to "focus on power" to get HRs.
The way he tossed that pop up over the Monster the other day makes me wonder if this isn't something he can't do on purpose more often if he wanted to.

Which makes sense, except for the part about not wanting to do it more. So I agree, but don't understand. I think.
 

Savin Hillbilly

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Jul 10, 2007
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The wrong side of the bridge....
The way he tossed that pop up over the Monster the other day makes me wonder if this isn't something he can't do on purpose more often if he wanted to.

Which makes sense, except for the part about not wanting to do it more. So I agree, but don't understand. I think.
He generates enough momentum that as you say, he can occasionally make a popup leave the yard. But most of his HR are not like that, and I doubt that he'd actually hit more of them if he made a point of hitting more balls like that.

In fact, this year he's moved in the opposite direction, and it's made him better. If you look at the six-category batted ball breakdown at xstats.com -- dribble balls, ground balls, line drives, high drives, fly balls, and popups--the one category that JD has consistently been well above league average in is HD (high drives). The previous three years, he'd also been above or around MLB average in fly balls, and just a little below average in popups. This year, though, he's below average in FB and way below average in popups, while being above average in LD and GB. His average launch angle is actually a little below league average this year, after being well above average the previous three years. But his exit velocity is at an all-time high.

It seems like he's focusing on hitting the ball hard on a line, wherever it's pitched, and the result is that he's become an even better overall hitter than in 2017 (172 vs. 166 wRC+) without sacrificing much power.
 

The Needler

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Davis had 2 HR last night, including a walkoff in the 10th. He’s at 45 to JD’s 41. The dream is almost dead.
 

lapa

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Apr 20, 2018
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To be honest I’m sort of relieved. Cool as it would have been, as a fan I’d much rather JD get some rest and recovery time over the next week instead of chasing this statistical achievement in an already incredible season.
The correct analysis.m, however,
World Series trophies are what counts for this team at the current time. Cy Young’s, triple crowns and yes even MVPs are irrelevant distractions of consolation only to losers (of which there’ll be 28 teams full of in just a few weeks)