The Los Angeles Dodgers went for an upside play with J.D. Martinez last season and reaped the benefits of reuniting him with Mookie Betts and Robert Van Scoyoc.
Martinez put together a strong year that earned him the starting designated hitter spot in the National League lineup for the 2023 MLB All-Star Game in Seattle. Although signing Martinez to a one-year contract proved fruitful for the Dodgers, a reunion was considered unlikely due to their interest in Shohei Ohtani.
The possibility of Martinez re-signing with the Dodgers then was all but officially ruled out when they added Ohtani on a record-setting 10-year, $700 million contract in December.
Martinez then remained a free agent into the final week of Spring Training but has now agreed to sign with the New York Mets on a one-year, $12 million contract, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post:
Breaking: JD Martinez to Mets. $12M
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) March 22, 2024
Martinez hit .271/.321/.572 with 33 home runs, 103 RBI, 61 runs scored and a 135 wRC+ in his lone season with the Dodgers. He dealt with a nagging right groin/adductor injury throughout much of the year that required Martinez to adjust his routine and spend time on the 10-day injured list.
In addition to the Mets, Los Angeles Angels, Miami Marlins, San Francisco Giants and Toronto Blue Jays were among the teams with reported interest in Martinez throughout various points of the offseason.
J.D. Martinez contract offers
Prior to the Giants signing Jorge Soler, they reportedly made a contract offer to Martinez. The 36-year-old declined the Giants’ contract as he sought a more lucrative deal and is believed to have been somewhat hesitant of playing home games at Oracle Park.
As Martinez remained available in free agency, teams reportedly looked to leverage that by making below-market contract offers.
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