Hot Stove Lunch: Sox, Boras in battle of wills over length of Martinez contract; Dodgers-Braves blockbuster and more

This is a daily BSJ off-season feature that will arrive in time for your lunch, Monday-Friday.

A spin around the leagues with the latest news, notes, and rumors around Major League Baseball

RED SOX

By now, it seems obvious: the Red Sox and J.D. Martinez are a good match. Sure, Martinez seemingly would prefer to go somewhere where he could play the outfield more frequently rather than DH. But that's likely not going to get in the way of a deal getting done between the two sides.

It would appear that Martinez is going to get somewhere between $27-$31 million in this deal. The question now becomes: how many years?



Scott Boras, who represents Martinez, has a history of securing seven-year deals for sluggers around 30 years old. It's happened with Matt Holliday, Jayson Werth, Shin-Soo Choo and others have all gotten seven years, as Mike Silverman of the Boston Herald notes.

But I could see the Red Sox digging in here. A seven-year deal would carry Martinez through his age-37 season. That's a long investment that could be ugly toward the end of the deal. And let's face it: the Red Sox haven't exactly enjoyed good luck when it comes to handing out long-term deals to players in their 30s.

Unless the Arizona Diamondbacks can move some salary, I'm not sure I see anyone who can step up and compete with the Red Sox for Martinez -- especially if it requires a seven-year commitment.

This could well turn into a battle of wills between Boras and Dave Dombrowski. Who blinks first?

AL EAST

CC Sabathia chose to re-sign with the Yankees.

Manny Machado may be headed out the door. Rock Kubatko wonders what that means for the Orioles' infield.

The Rays are looking for creative ways to assemble their bullpen on a budget.

AL CENTRAL

Paul Hoynes writes about the exodus of free agents from the Indians' roster.

The White Sox are being sued for an ugly on-field injury

AL WEST

With the acquisitions of Shohei Ohtani, Ian Kinsler and Zack Cozart, the Angels have created some hope

The Mariners are counting on James Paxton to continue his progression.

The Rangers obtained a lefty starter whom they had long coveted.

NL

The Dodgers and Braves pulled off a blockbuster over the weekend. But it had nothing to do with the players involved and everything to do with payroll.

TAKE I MAY REGRET IN A MONTH:

We're barely into the heart of this free agent season and already, some clubs are planning for next year's class.

The Los Angeles Dodgers unloaded four players Saturday and got back one they didn't want, all in an effort to ensure that they're under the luxury tax threshold in 2018. That way, the Dodgers can be better positioned for chase after what many believe will be the best free agent class in the history of the game.  As it stands, Bryce Harper, Manny Machado, Josh Donaldson, Andrew Miller, Dallas Keuchel and perhaps even Clayton Kershaw (opt-out) will be available a year from now.

The Yankees are taking steps to guarantee that they, too, can re-set their tax rate next year, the better to be able to bid for the stars.

If you think the numbers have been insane this winter, just want until next year.