The Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees have both made major offseason moves that could reignite their rivalry in 2025. Boston added Garrett Crochet, Walker Buehler, and Alex Bregman, while the reigning American League champion Yankees countered with Max Fried and Cody Bellinger after losing Juan Soto in free agency.
However, the Yankees now face an early-season setback. Slugger Giancarlo Stanton is expected to start the season on the injured list due to elbow issues, leaving New York in need of a power bat. According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the Yankees have had “some contact” with former Red Sox star J.D. Martinez as a potential short-term solution.
Martinez, 37, is no stranger to the American League East, having hit 130 home runs with an .889 OPS over five seasons in Boston, where he helped lead the Red Sox to a championship in 2018. While he’s played for six teams throughout his career, he could still provide offensive value in a designated hitter role.
If Martinez does sign with the Yankees, it would add even more intrigue to the rivalry. The Red Sox and Yankees are set to meet for the first time in 2025 from June 6-8 at Yankee Stadium.
Analysis
This move would make sense for the Yankees, given Stanton’s ongoing durability concerns. Martinez, though aging, remains an effective hitter in a limited role. He slashed .271/.321/.572 with 33 home runs for the Dodgers in 2023, showing he can still be a force at the plate.
For the Red Sox, seeing Martinez in pinstripes would be an unwelcome sight, but it wouldn’t be the first time a former Boston star joined the Yankees. Players like Johnny Damon and Jacoby Ellsbury have made similar jumps in the past.
Would this signing make the Yankees a bigger threat in 2025? That depends on Martinez’s health and how well he adjusts. If he performs anywhere near his Red Sox peak, the rivalry could get even more interesting.
