Before Game 1 of the National League Championship Series, I asked New York Mets designated hitter J.D. Martinez if he intended to sign another contract with the team. He smiled and replied, “I am a hitter for fire. Whoever wants to pay me, that’s where I’ll go.” With the MLB regular season just weeks away, no team has stepped forward with an offer, leaving Martinez without a place to play.
Early Career
Martinez’s unconventional journey to becoming an All-Star is well known. No Division I program recruited him out of high school in Florida, so he played college baseball at Nova Southeastern University before the Houston Astros selected him in the 20th round of the 2009 MLB Draft. After three seasons, 24 home runs, and an OPS+ of 88, the Astros released him in 2014.
Later that year, he signed with the Detroit Tigers for $500,000. His salary increased to $3 million the following season, as he worked with hitting coach Robert Van Scoyoc to refine his swing. The results were dramatic—over his first two seasons in Detroit, he posted a .296/.350/.543 slash line with 61 home runs, 178 RBIs, and a 145 OPS+, earning an $18.5 million contract over two years.
In 2017, just before the trade deadline, the Tigers dealt him to the Arizona Diamondbacks. Over 62 games, Martinez hit .302/.366/.741, producing a 1.107 OPS with 29 home runs and a 170 OPS+. Entering free agency at age 30, he was in a strong position.
Free Agency
As is often the case for Scott Boras clients, Martinez remained unsigned deep into the winter. Eventually, he secured a five-year, $110 million deal with the Boston Red Sox, including multiple opt-outs. He never exercised them, and across five seasons in Boston, he hit .292/.363/.526 with 130 home runs as the team’s designated hitter.
However, when he re-entered free agency in 2023, interest in him was limited. With MLB teams prioritizing roster flexibility, there was less demand for a full-time designated hitter.
He signed a one-year, $10 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, where he continued to perform at a high level. In 113 games, he hit 33 home runs and finished with a 136 OPS+. But once again, he found himself back on the market.
Martinez remained unsigned for much of the offseason before the New York Mets brought him in on a one-year, $12 million deal just days before Opening Day. The contract deferred $7.5 million until 2034-2038. He helped the Mets reach the NLCS, where they were eliminated by his former team, the Dodgers. Statistically, it was one of the weakest seasons of his career, with numbers not seen since his early days in Houston. When the Mets’ postseason run ended at Dodger Stadium, Martinez was once again without a team.
What’s Next?
Martinez turns 38 in August. Was last season a sign that his career is winding down? Possibly. However, his value extends beyond his on-field performance. In Boston, he mentored Mookie Betts and restructured the team’s hitting program, making his iPad analysis available to all players. His leadership has never been questioned—Mets first baseman Pete Alonso has even called him a “hitting savant.”
Several teams could be potential fits.
New York Yankees: With Giancarlo Stanton recovering from elbow injuries and no set return date, Martinez could provide power. However, once Stanton is back, there may be no place for Martinez, who has played just six games in the field since 2021.
Minnesota Twins: They could use his bat and experience, but their designated hitter slot is needed for Byron Buxton, Royce Lewis, or Carlos Correa when they can’t play the field.
Baltimore Orioles: A team in need of a veteran presence, with the budget to afford him.
Cincinnati Reds: They have an abundance of infielders but could benefit from a right-handed power hitter in the heart of their lineup.
Tampa Bay Rays: A chance for Martinez to play near his home in Fort Lauderdale while mentoring their young hitters.
Detroit Tigers: They were reportedly seeking a right-handed bat and missed out on Alex Bregman, so a reunion isn’t out of the question.
Arizona Diamondbacks: While Houston is no longer an option due to Yordan Alvarez, Martinez returning to Arizona could bring his career full circle. He could contribute as both a hitter and a mentor for young players like Corbin Carroll, Jake McCarthy, and Jordan Lawlar. Could his presence make Ketel Marte even better?
Back in 2018, after signing with the Red Sox and before winning a World Series, Martinez was asked whether his successful season validated his talent after a slow free agency. His response was as relevant then as it is now:
“My whole life, I’ve felt like I’ve always had to prove myself. It’s never been easy, as easy as others who are in my position have had it. So I’ve always felt that drive… It’s my story. It’s me.”
After 14 seasons in the majors and over $150 million in career earnings, Martinez might be ready to walk away. There would be no shame in retiring. But if he still has the desire to compete, some team should offer him a contract—not just for his bat, but for his leadership in the clubhouse as well.
