FORT MYERS — At long last, J.D. Martinez is officially a member of the Red Sox.
"It’s been a long process and I’m happy to put everything behind me, be here today and go out and play baseball," Martinez said after donning a Red Sox jersey in an introductory press conference at JetBlue Park.
Martinez, who hit 45 home runs last season, is likely to become the Sox’ primary designated hitter and provide the offensive punch the team has been looking for.
He will wear uniform No. 28.
"This is a big day for the Red Sox organization," president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said. "It’s come to a fruitful end and we’re absolutely thrilled."
News broke on Feb. 19 that Martinez had agreed to terms on a five-year contract worth $110 million, but an official announcement has been delayed while Martinez took a physical and final terms were settled.
Martinez said he visited Boston for an exam last week while the team and his agents worked through medical and legal issues. But he said he was not worried at any point that the deal might fall through.
"That thought never crossed my mind," Martinez said.
Added agent Scott Boras, "It was not an adversarial process."
Martinez will play most of the year at 30 years old, and he has a .936 OPS with 128 home runs the past four seasons. His 45 home runs last year with Detroit and Arizona were 21 more than any Red Sox player hit in 2017.
Manager Alex Cora said Martinez will hit either third or fourth in the Sox lineup.
"He's not only a home run hitter, he's a complete hitter," Cora said.
Dombrowski made clear from the beginning of the offseason that an offensive upgrade was his top priority, and he ultimately landed the most proven free agent hitter available.
"I think all of our offseason work is done," Dombrowski said today.
Martinez said he sought advice from Sox starting pitcher David Price, who signed a seven-year, $217 million free agent deal two years ago, about Boston.
"David’s always spoken very well and very highly and especially of the fan base and pitching in that ball park and how fun it is to go out there every day," Martinez said of his talks with Price.
He added he's ready to embrace the big spotlight that comes with playing for the Red Sox.
"Football has Monday night. They say at Fenway every night is like 'Monday Night Football' over there," Martinez said.
"I’m excited. To play in front of fans that are just as passionate and love it just as much, it’s exciting."
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