FORT MYERS – After four months of anticipation, with $110 million on the line and one of the game’s great sluggers in contractual limbo, the J.D. Martinez deal came down to a skeletal joint smaller than his little toe.
For a week, doctors ran their tests and lawyers adjusted their language until finally, on Monday morning, Martinez put on his uniform.
The final agreement: five years, $110 millions, with a whopping three different opt outs, for Martinez to become the Red Sox’ new designated hitter.
“It’s been a time period where we’ve had a lot of discussions, a lot of talk,” Red Sox president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said.