New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso is in need of lineup protection, and the team could find it by adding veteran slugger J.D. Martinez. As the Mets make roster additions this offseason, they have yet to acquire a veteran bat to support Alonso. However, there is speculation that Martinez, a right-handed slugger and three-time Silver Slugger Award winner, could be a good fit for the team. Bleacher Report’s Joel Reuter predicts that Martinez will join the Mets in Queens.
Jon Heyman of The New York Post also believes that the Mets should strengthen their lineup for the sake of Alonso. He specifically mentioned Martinez and Jorge Soler as potential signings. However, the Mets will only pursue players like Martinez or Soler if their asking prices decrease significantly, according to SNY’s Andy Martino. In the meantime, Mark Vientos is the internal candidate expected to receive a significant number of at-bats as the designated hitter. The Mets are unlikely to add an external designated hitter unless the price drops significantly.
SNY Mets shared Mark Vientos’ projections for the 2024 season compared to Martinez’s. It is clear that Martinez is one of the top free agent designated hitters still available on the market. However, the Mets will only consider signing him if the price becomes more favorable.
Mets Targeting J.D. Martinez for Power Bat in Lineup
Former Boston Red Sox slugger J.D. Martinez could be the missing piece in the New York Mets’ lineup. Martinez, who spent five productive years in Boston, is known for his power hitting abilities. In 2018, he slugged an impressive 43 home runs with 130 RBI, and followed that up with another solid season in 2019, hitting 36 homers with 105 RBI. Even after a challenging 2020 season, Martinez bounced back in 2021, hitting 28 homers with 99 RBI for the Red Sox.
However, Martinez struggled to find his power in 2022. During his age-34 season, he played 139 games but only managed to hit 16 homers with 62 RBI. His .790 OPS was the lowest he had produced in a full season since 2013. Despite this setback, Martinez signed a one-year, $10 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2023.
With the Dodgers, Martinez rediscovered his groove at the plate. In just 479 plate appearances, he hit .271/.321/.572 with 33 homers and 103 RBI. This marked the fifth time in his career that he surpassed the 30-homer mark. As a result, MLB Trade Rumors predicted that Martinez could land a lucrative two-year, $40 million contract in free agency.
Adding Martinez to the Mets’ lineup would be a valuable move for multiple reasons. Pete Alonso, the team’s main offensive threat, consistently hits around 40 home runs per season. However, the only other player on the Mets’ roster to hit at least 30 home runs in 2023 was shortstop Francisco Lindor, who primarily hit ahead of Alonso in the lineup. By having Martinez as protection behind Alonso, opposing pitchers would be forced to pitch more carefully, potentially leading to better results on the field.
Martinez’s value extends beyond his on-field performance. With 14 years of MLB experience, he could provide valuable guidance to young players like Vientos, Alvarez, and Baty. Martinez also brings a wealth of postseason experience, having played in 33 playoff games and winning the World Series with the Red Sox in 2018.
While Martinez would undoubtedly boost the Mets in various ways, it remains uncertain if a deal will be reached on their terms. As spring training approaches, it is unclear whether Martinez will secure a multi-year contract in free agency. Nonetheless, the Mets are actively targeting him as they seek to strengthen their lineup for the upcoming season.
