MLB free agency: Red Sox make 5-year, $100 million offer to J.D. Martinez?

Update: J.D. Martinez’s agent Scott Boras says the Red Sox’s offer of five years, $100 million is “not accurate,” according to Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports.

Heyman added that the offer ”does seem off.” However, this could be a negotiating tactic on Boras’ part to say it’s inaccurate to drive up the price on his client.

Original: The Red Sox have made an offer to top free-agent slugger J.D. Martinez that is “in the range of five years, $100 million,” a source told Buster Olney of ESPN.

This report comes 15 days after it was reported that Boston had made a five-year offer to Martinez.

The offer seems low for a player like Martinez, a right fielder who is coming off a breakout season in which he blasted 45 home runs and had 104 RBI while slashing .303/.376/.690 in 119 games while splitting time with the Tigers and the Diamondbacks. The 30-year-old’s astonishing display of power after the trade deadline helped Arizona earn its first playoff berth since 2011.

The Red Sox have made it known to Martinez for a while that he is their No. 1 choice for a power hitter. The Red Sox ranked 27th in baseball last year in home runs and 26th in slugging percentage, leaving a major need for a bat in the middle of their lineup.

However, teams such as the Dbacks, Giants, Rockies, Blue Jays and Dodgers have been interested in Martinez this offseason. Because of the level of interest, Martinez and his agent Scott Boras are seeking a contract worth $200 million.

But, the offseason has been slow in general. Maybe getting a figure out there on Martinez may spark some teams to throw more significant offers his way.