The Red Sox’ offer to free agent slugger J.D. Martinez is believed to be five years and roughly $125 million, according to a source.
The offer is similar to the contract signed by power-hitting outfielder Josh Hamilton following the 2012 season, but its average annual value falls short of the $27.5 million given to Yoenis Cespedes by the New York Mets on a four-year deal last winter.
Martinez is believed to have other five-year offers in hand, and those come from teams with outfield vacancies. Martinez stated a willingness to be a designated hitter, but the outfield remains his preference, and the Red Sox might have to pay a premium to lure him away from the field.