Offseason Choose Your Own Adventure - JD Martinez in Boston?

Story stream here. You know why you’re here.

Fictional story. Despite how things may appear, I do not control the lives of JD Martinez, Alex Cora, or any others represented in this work of fiction. If I did, you better believe that JD Martinez would already be under an under the table agreement at league minimum.

Alexander Henry’s Office - October 12th, 1:30 PM EST

Henry - “Once free agency opens following the World Series, I have set my sights on one player above all others, and his name is JD Martinez.”

Cora - “Interesting, he would definitely bring a lot to the table. One thing that was glaringly absent on our team last year was the lack of power, and JD Martinez figures to not only be the best power bat on the free agent market by a country mile, but he is also debatably a better power hitter than Giancarlo Stanton, who is a buzzword in Boston right now.”

Henry - “I’ll be honest, I like Stanton a lot too. He’s probably my second choice right about now, and his bat is a big reason why. I am just concerned with the potential cost in a trade, and look at his contract. Sheesh. If the price is right, I won’t complain, but it wouldn’t be ideal.”

Photo by Joe Skipper/Getty Images

Cora - “Understandably. I like both guys. I do think we should look into a first baseman like Eric Hosmer or Carlos Santana, and I also think it would be worth giving the Tigers a call on Ian Kinsler, and the Twins on Brian Dozier, given Dustin Pedroia’s impending surgery. Do you have preferences there?”

Henry - “Hosmer has been on my radar, but represents a bad situation for us. You see, he just had a career year, and he’s going to make bank. He’d be an upgrade from Mitch Moreland, but he definitely would not be the power bat we desperately need and want. Carlos Santana represents a better overall power hitter than Hosmer does. It’s worth noting Hosmer has been the better player at Fenway for his career, but Santana has done the better job of bringing in runs via the long ball in Boston.”

Cora - “We’ll evaluate that further if we need to, obviously, but I could work with either guy for sure.”

Henry - “At second, the feeling is we’re going to go internal. I like both Kinsler and Dozier as players, but neither really is going to come all that cheap, in either prospects or salary, and they would preclude us from getting our big bat. I’m inclined to say you are looking at using Marco Hernandez or Tzu-Wei Lin long term until Dustin Pedroia is back.”

Photo by Brian Davidson/Getty Images

Cora - “Alright, sounds good to me. The free agency period doesn’t start for a couple weeks, so I guess I’ll just see you then.”

Henry - “Yeah, hopefully, by then, we’ll have an idea of the rest of our staff. I’m leaving that in your capable hands.”

J.D. Martinez’s House - November 2nd, 9:00 PM EST

Alexander Henry and Alex Cora knock at the door, and a woman answers the door.

Henry - “Ah, you must be Miss Aubert, J.D.’s girlfriend. Pleased to make your acquaintance.”

Aubert - “Why yes, that would be me. And I understand that you two have a meeting with JD this evening. Why it couldn’t wait until tomorrow afternoon, I have no clue, but our home is your home.”

Henry - “We appreciate the hospitality, thank you.”

Both Henry and Cora enter the living room, where JD Martinez is grinning ear to ear. He probably read a funny joke on the internet. When he looks up and sees both Henry and Cora in his living room, he looks to his watch to ensure it is 9 PM EST and not a second earlier.

Martinez - “Excellent! Right on time. I definitely feel important. How are you doing Mr. Henry, Mr. Cora?

Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images

Cora/Henry - “Please, call me Alex.”

A long pause, as both Cora and Henry stare at each other.

Martinez - “If it’s all the same sirs, I think we should just avoid addressing by name whenever possible, lest we get ourselves confused.”

Henry - “I’m ok with this. It’s great to see you, JD. I’d heard you were in Boston recently and I only just missed seeing you at the country club. Held up at the office, you understand.”

Martinez - “It’s fine, I was just taking in the sights. You know, when you are in the position I’m in, you have to look at all the cities that you could end up in. Boston needs a huge power hitter, and I’m confident in my skill set, so I knew we’d be linked eventually.”

Henry - “And right you are, we want you to sign with the Red Sox as soon as possible. It would be great for our heart.”

Martinez - “I like Boston, and I’d certainly like the money you can pay me, so let’s not worry about the contract length or the dollar signs yet. Those things, I’m confident we can figure out. What I need to know is my fit on the team.”

Cora - “Well, the idea is, we’d be slotting you in the 3 or 4 spot in the lineup, and you’d be an excellent fit, driving in tons of runs.”

Martinez - “Right, but I more meant to ask what position you would have me at. As far as I can tell, you have three outfielders and a DH already. Without a move, or some gymnastics, I look to be without a position. While I figure we’d find a spot for me, regardless, I would prefer the maximum amount of time to prepare for next season.”

This poll will close on November 2nd at 11:30 PM EST.