Report: Red Sox offer J.D. Martinez $125 million

Free agent outfielder J.D. Martinez was offered a five-year, $125 million contract by the Boston Red Sox, the Boston Herald reported Friday.

Martinez is considered one of the best hitters available in free agency. The Scott Boras client is reportedly seeking $200 million.

He hit .303 with 45 home runs and 104 RBIs last season, split between the Detroit Tigers and Arizona Diamondbacks, who acquired Martinez before the MLB trade deadline.

Two weeks ago, team president Dave Dombrowski said the Red Sox could compete with the New York Yankees -- who acquired slugger Giancarlo Stanton from the Miami Marlins in the offseason -- with or without a big bat added to the lineup.

"I look for some of our own people to do better this year from an offensive perspective," Dombrowski said. "I think it's important, no matter who we add, that some of the people internally have to bounce back and have the years we think they can have. And I think they will."

The most lucrative deal for a hitter in free agency went to former Cleveland Indians first baseman Carlos Santana, who signed a three-year, $60 million deal with the Philadelphia Phillies. That matches the three-year deal the Indians gave designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion in 2016.

Jay Bruce, who like Martinez is a 30-year-old outfielder, signed a three-year, $39 million contract with the New York Mets.

--Field Level Media