Red Sox Could Face Familiar Face After Key Yankees Injury

The Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees each made impact additions this winter that could reignite their rivalry to a competitive level in 2025.

The Red Sox brought in Garrett Crochet, Walker Buehler and Alex Bregman while the reigning American League champion Yankees improved with Max Fried and Cody Bellinger when Juan Soto walked in free agency.

New York does have a roster decision to make in the coming weeks with slugging designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton set to start the season redon the injured list with elbow injuries. The Yankees will need a big bat to help fill that production and they could look to a former Red Sox hero to do so.

The New York Post’s Jon Heyman reported Saturday that the Yankees have had “some contact with” outfielder and designated hitter J.D. Martinez. The fit would be ideal for a short-term solution with the 37-year-old who spent time crushing the American League East.

Martinez hit 130 home runs with an .889 OPS over five seasons with the Red Sox and won a championship in his first season in Boston. He’s played for six teams during his MLB career and could still add value in a renewed role, potentially with the Yankees.

The Red Sox and Yankees face off for the first time in 2025 at Yankee Stadium from June 6-8.