J.D. Martinez talks trade deadline
LOS ANGELES - J.D. Martinez knows what's at stake.
"It's a big couple of weeks coming up," the Red Sox designated hitter was told by WEEI.com during Monday's media availability at Dodger Stadium.
"It is," he interrupted with.
"And if you don't fix things heading into the trade deadline ...," Martinez was reminded.
"Then everyone is looking at trades ... Totally," he added in, referencing the slew of key Red Sox living life in the last year of their deals, which, of course, includes Martinez.
But just because Martinez understands what's at stake when the Red Sox return from the All-Star break, doesn't mean he believes the stretch will lead to Chaim Bloom to enter into selling mode.
The more Martinez spoke at the All-Star festivities, the more convincing he became.
"It would be awesome," he said regarding the idea of Bloom adding to the roster instead of playing for the future. "I think we have a very competitive team. I think we’re still in it, 100 percent. If I was allowed to bet, I would bet on us because I’m very confident. I think we’re right there. We’re in the mix and we’ve been playing terribly for the last two weeks. That’s not us. We’ve been dealing with some injuries. You saw what happened with Trevor and Strahm, and then we get Chris back and Chris goes down.
"I’m just confident. I just believe in these guys. We’re such a talented team. We have a great lineup. I would put our lineup up against anyone out there. It’s just for us it’s getting healthy. If we get healthy and make a move or two at the break, I think we’ll be fine. All you have to do is get it. You saw it last year."
The Red Sox will return to action after the All-Star break two games out of the Wild Card standings, coming off a pair of drubbings at the hands of the Yankees in New York.
The Sox are fendng off injuries and the malaise that has come with winning just six times in their last 20 games.
But Martinez is digging. He believes better times are ahead.
"For us, it’s going out there and doing what we do, playing loose and having fun," he said. "Alex (Cora) does a great job with that. He really does. He’s the best manager I’ve had. He really knows how to communicate and make it fun for the guys. He puts the pressure on himself and takes it off of us and keeps it loose for us. That’s what we have to do, is go out there and play our game. We know we’re plenty good enough. That one month we had after that first month was special, to do what we did. Obviously, the last two weeks haven’t gone our way, but we’re right there. You see it. You see these sparks. You had those two games against the Yankees at home. It’s in there. It’s just getting back to it."
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