Potential landing spots for free agent designated hitter J.D. Martinez
Now that the Dodgers have signed Shohei Ohtani to the massive $700 million record-breaking contract, it closes the door on J.D. Martinez returning to Los Angeles next season.
The two-way superstar will be penciled in as Dave Roberts designated hitter next season, while he continues to rehab from elbow surgery.
That means Martinez no longer has a role on the Dodgers.
The former outfielder was Los Angeles primary designated hitter last season. The 13-year veteran had a rebound season, making his sixth All-Star Game, slugging 33 homers while driving in 103 RBIs in 113 games. In addition, Martinez posted a 134 OPS+, making fans forget about his down last season with the Red Sox.
With the Dodgers seemingly out on Martinez, there’s a list of clubs that will be interested in signing the veteran to help stabilize the middle of their lineup.
Arizona Diamondbacks
Could there be a reunion between the Snakes and Martinez?
The 36-year-old played for Arizona after he was traded to the desert at the 2017 trade deadline. His acquisition was one of the best moves the defending National League champs have made in recent memory.
In just 62 games, Martinez mashed 29 homers while posting an impressive 170 OPS+. He was unstoppable at the dish when he came to the Snakes and now could be the strong veteran power bat for the middle of their lineup.
The DBacks will need to replace the power Lourdes Gurriel Jr. offered, he’s a free agent and expected to sign with a new club. Arizona has internal options to replace Gurriel with the likes of Dominic Fletcher and Pavin Smith.
Seattle Mariners
Never count of Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto. Seattle needs another power bat after trading away third baseman Eugenio Suárez to the DBacks and outfielder Teoscar Hernandez is a free agent and likely to find a new home.
There’s not a lot of pop in Seattle’s lineup outside of Julio Rodriguez and Cal Raleigh. Adding Martinez’s 33 homers would be a smart addition for Dipoto and would complement the young M’s lineup.
Toronto Blue Jays
It’s no secret the Blue Jays took it on the chin after Ohtani ended up signing with the Dodgers. It wasn’t by their own doing, poor reporting from the national media gave fans of the Blue Jays and the game false excitement and more importantly misinformation.
Toronto needs a power bat and if they can’t land Cody Bellinger, Martinez makes plenty of sense. With Brandon Belt no longer under contract, it clears the way for the Jays to add Martinez’s bat.
Adding Martinez around Bo Bichette, George Springer and Vladimir Guerrero Jr., it would give the Jays a impactful lineup.
Martinez’ market will begin to unfold in the coming weeks and the former Red Sox slugger has options. The DBacks feel like the best fit, but the Mariners and Blue Jays are sneaky backup plans for the designated hitter.
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