Report: D-Backs, Martinez exploring creative contract ideas

The Arizona Diamondbacks are doing all they can to hold on to J.D. Martinez.

After ownership reportedly met with Martinez's agent Scott Boras multiple times this week, the D-Backs and Boras have reportedly discussed "creative" ideas to keep the slugger in Arizona on the long-term deal he desires, sources told Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports.

What exactly those ideas entail isn't clear, but Heyman reports the team is considering offering Martinez a deal with a higher average annual value on a shorter term that could also include opt-out clauses.

Related: D-Backs reportedly willing to offer Martinez more than $100M

According to Heyman, Arizona is exploring these potential alternative ways to re-sign Martinez amid concerns of also locking up All-Star first baseman Paul Goldschmidt long term. Goldschmidt, who finished third in NL MVP voting this past season, is set to hit free agency in two years' time.

Only one other team - the Boston Red Sox - seems to still be in the race to sign Martinez, and they don't appear to be budging on their proposal. According to Alex Speier of the Boston Globe, the Red Sox's five-year offer to Martinez is still closer to the $100-million range, rather than the $125-million offer that had been previously reported.

Negotiations with Boston were said to have left Martinez fed up with the AL East club, though Boras denied that to be the case.

Poll: Where will J.D. Martinez sign?

Martinez crushed the baseball during his two-month stint with Arizona last season, hitting .302/.366/.741 with 29 homers across 62 games following a midseason trade from the Detroit Tigers.