Veteran slugger J.D. Martinez is still one of the best hitters on the free agent market despite several teams looking to acquire his services, but time is running out and the 37-year-old has a month before the regular season begins.
Martinez, who in the 2024 season played for the New York Mets, may not have to move cities, as the name of the Yankees now emerges as the right place for the Florida-born player after the injury to Giancarlo Stanton, which would give him the opportunity to take a place in the ninth as a designated hitter.
Now, the New York Yankees could offer him a one-season contract and play him as a starter in the lineup, at least until Stanton returns.
The urgency of both parties could facilitate J.D.’s arrival in the Bronx
Last season, Martinez hit 16 home runs and drove in 69 runs for the Mets in 120 games, while batting .235, and while the Yankees do not need to see him as a long-term solution, manager Aaron Boone’s team can add a veteran like Martinez for now.
In addition, his status as a free agent and the short time until the start of the regular season could make it an easy deal for both parties.
MLB expert analyst MLB Jon Heyman mentioned that the Yankees have been in contact with J.D. Martinez. While there are no further details, something is being negotiated.
Stanton’s absence will undoubtedly cost the team money, but the Yankees cannot sit back and wait for him to return and regain his old form immediately.
Stanton missed spring training and will have to attend some rehab sessions. According to Heyman, it is difficult to bring him back.
“There has been some contact with J.D. Martinez. But it might be difficult to figure out how to bring him in as a stopgap player because surely there is hope and expectation that Stanton will return,” Heyman said via Sporting News
Heyman also mentioned earlier that the Yankees are broke, but it’s not known if they’re broke enough not to get Martinez.
For now, the Yankees need the urgency of getting a reliable designated hitter. Another option would be to place Jasson Dominguez as designated hitter, but that is something they will have to figure out, while infielder Nolan Arenado has already declined, apparently, the offer of the Bronx Bombers to acquire his services.
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