The Mets have signed J.D. Martinez to a one-year, $12 million deal, according to Jon Heyman. In a stunner, SNY‘s Andy Martino said the Mets will only pay $4.5 million this season, then $1.5 million a year from 2034 through 2038. His 2024 competitive balance tax number will only be a fraction of the $12 million.
The signing comes after months of connection to the 36-year-old designated hitter. Martinez’s market never materialized to what he seemingly wanted (a two-year deal), and now the Mets grab good value to shore up their DH spot.
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Martinez slashed .271/.321/.572/.893 with 33 homers and 103 RBIs the Dodgers last year. He earned his sixth All-Star nomination, too. (Read our free agent profile of Martinez that dissected his 2023 season.)
The Mets’ lineup with Martinez is clearly deeper than it was before his arrival. He’ll also add much-needed power to the lineup. Once Martinez is at full strength, it could look like:
- Brandon Nimmo
- Francisco Lindor
- Pete Alonso
- J.D. Martinez
- Jeff McNeil
- Francisco Álvarez
- Brett Baty
- Starling Marte
- Harrison Bader
The Martinez signing clearly impacts Mark Vientos‘ playing time, as he was seemingly locked in for the lion’s share of DH at-bats before the news. David Stearns has said he wants the young players—namely Brett Baty and Vientos—to get lots of playing so the team knows what it has. Vientos will likely have to spell Martinez at DH and will likely get more playing time at third base now, too. However, if the Mets don’t feel confident in getting Vientos at-bats with Martinez on the roster, Vientos could be sent to Triple-A. He has one more option left.
If the Mets keep Vientos on the roster, DJ Stewart could be impacted. This move also all but ends any chance of Luke Voit or Jiman Choi making the Opening Day roster.
The Mets will have to make a 40-man roster decision to make the move official.
