After an unforeseen redemption season in 2023, JD Martinez is finally off the free agent market. He is signing a one-year, $12 million contract with the New York Mets, according to MLB insider Jon Heyman.. A player who was considered to be in the grasp of Father Time at the end of 2022 will look to prove he still has some pop left in his bat.
While the deal will be a considerable tax hit for the organization, the burden is mitigated somewhat through deferrals. This was always the most logical landing spot for the veteran designated hitter, but Mets fans obviously would have preferred to reach a deal long before the last week of spring training. In any case, they add another bat to what is one of the more underrated offenses in the National League.
The DH slot has given them their fair share of challenges lately, but this accomplished hitter lends a tremendous amount of credibility. Although injuries and age are concerns, Martinez can make a clear impact in the lineup. For the many fans who are struggling to get revved up for what could be a transition season in 2024, this move should spark some excitement.
And for Martinez, this is the next stop on an MLB journey that already seemed to be approaching its end two years ago.
Can JD Martinez build off his 2023 redemption arc?
Martinez inked a one-year deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers in MLB free agency last offseason after back problems contributed to him hitting only 16 home runs for the Boston Red Sox. He was reborn in LA, blasting 33 dingers and 103 RBIs in just 113 games in 2023.
Despite some injury issues, the six-time All-Star undoubtedly played a big role in LA winning yet another divisional title. But the allure of Shohei Ohtani was too strong for the Dodgers to extend a qualifying offer to him. Fortunately, the productive 2023 campaign Martinez put together ensured that he would have options.
At 36 years of age, JD Martinez should not be entrusted to be the top guy for the duration of a 162-game season, but the 2018 World Series champion is one of the best hitters of the last decade. His perseverance and calm demeanor should greatly benefit the Mets.
If they find their way into the postseason in 2024, Martinez's big-game experience and prowess should come in handy (batting .294 with 10 homers and 31 RBIs in 33 career playoff games). Although the end is near, it feels foolish to forecast any sort of decline for a player who has already come back from the dead once before.
Mets fill big hole ahead of Opening Day
With president of baseball operations David Stearns securing JD Martinez, New York now boasts a fairly deep lineup that possesses an intriguing blend of contact, speed and power. Obtaining a postseason berth will still be arduous due to the club's pitching rotation, but the outlook for the new season is brighter than it initially appeared.
Because his focus lies in the batter's box, the three-time Silver Slugger winner could conceivably shake off any rust from the long layoff reasonably quick. The Mets are hoping that some of their younger guys can break out in 2024, but by bringing in this veteran slugger, they are making it clear to fans that making the postseason is still a priority this year.
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