The Los Angeles Dodgers made a significant shift in strategy last offseason when they signed J.D. Martinez to a one-year contract.
Martinez was coming off a down season with the Boston Red Sox and projected to be the everyday designate hitter in the Dodgers lineup. Prior to the 2023 season, the Dodgers had utilized the DH spot to rotate players through as a means of providing them with some rest.
The change paid off as Martinez put together an All-Star season despite being dogged by a nagging groin/adductor injury. Now the 36-year-old is a free agent once again and looking for a new team as the Dodgers have filled the DH position with the signing of Shohei Ohtani.
According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the New York Mets and Los Angeles Angels are recent teams with interest in signing Martinez:
The Mets and Angels are eying top free agent DH J.D. Martinez. His old Diamondbacks team also seeks a hitter.
The Angels are looking for a new DH in the wake of losing Ohtani in free agency, and Martinez certainly would help replace some of that production.
The Mets are in a similar position, though could look to re-sign Daniel Vogelbach if they ultimately decide against aggressively pursuing Martinez.
Martinez was voted the starting DH for the National League in the 2023 All-Star Game and finished the year batting .271/.321/.572 with 33 home runs, 103 RBI, 61 runs scored to go along with a 135 wRC+.
Dodgers free agent rumors: J.D. Martinez
It previously was reported the Toronto Blue Jays and Arizona Diamondbacks were interested in Martinez as well. The Dodgers reportedly viewed him as their preferred fallback option if they failed to sign Ohtani.
Martinez signing with the Diamondbacks would be a reunion as he previously played for them during the 2017 season. Martinez hit three home runs against the Dodgers in Game 1 of the National League Division Series that year.
Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows and giveaways, and stay up to date on all Dodgers news and rumors!
