MLB Rumors: Top 4 Fits For Free Agent Slugger JD Martinez

One of the last remaining sluggers on the free agent market is still available, in JD Martinez. Many of his potential suitors coming into the winter have already signed a DH-type, leaving yet another Scott Boras client going the distance this off-season, hoping to still cash in.

The six-time All-Star had an impressive bounce-back season last year with the Los Angeles Dodgers at the age of 35, crushing 33 home runs with 103 RBIs and an OPS+ of a rousing 134. And he did all that in only 113 games. His HR total more than doubled his number from 2022 with the Boston Red Sox. 

The drawback is he is strictly, 100% a DH at this point, going into his age-36 season, and has played only one game in the field since 2021.

So who are the strongest fits left for Martinez? He signed a one-year, $10 million deal with the Dodgers last year, and is probably looking for more than that for 2024.

New York Mets

The Mets finished 20th in the league in runs scored in 2023, and 19th in RBIs. Martinez can probably help with both. The Mets have had negotiations with Martinez throughout the winter, and still could pull the trigger if they're able to wait out the Boras demands and see his undoubtedly outrageous asking price come down.

Los Angeles Angels

The Angels have a gaping hole at DH after losing some guy named Shohei Ohtani this offseason. It's been postulated this winter, however, that they would rather keep DH clear for a mix of options, like getting Mike Trout and Anthony Rendón plenty of days off in the field while keeping their bats in the lineup. It's hard to overlook the fact, however, that the Halos offense, sans Ohtani, needs some sort of a huge boost.

Chicago Cubs

They're still hoping to bring back 2023's Most Improved Player, Cody Bellinger, but due to his oversized contract demands (see: Boras, Scott), the two sides don't appear to be close at this point. Perhaps Martinez could fill that offensive void in the Windy City. The problem here is, Cubs owner Tom Ricketts and Boras were throwing darts at each other through the media this week over the Bellinger negotiations. How would that translate to talks over Martinez?

Boston Red Sox

Could a return to Beantown be in the cards for Martinez? The Red Sox certainly haven't done a ton to improve their offense over the offseason, and they were tied to some other DH-types earlier on. It could be something to keep an eye on.

Photo: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports