J.D. Martinez is still looking for a new contract as March begins, as the 37-year-old is coming off a decent but unspectacular season with the Mets. There hadn’t been any public buzz about teams connected to Martinez, yet Jon Heyman of the New York Post writes that the Yankees have “some contact with” Martinez’s camp, likely in connection to the ongoing uncertainty over Giancarlo Stanton’s status.
There isn’t any indication that the Yankees’ interest is anything more than due diligence at this point, though reaching out to establish some rapport with Martinez could be viewed as a first step in case Stanton ends up missing significant time. As Heyman notes, it doesn’t seem likely that Martinez would be signed just “as a stopgap player” if Stanton ultimately isn’t out of action for much beyond Opening Day. Martinez has limited roster utility as a virtual DH-only player at this point in his career, and the Yankees could always opt to rotate players through the DH spot if Stanton has only a limited absence.
Stanton has been battling discomfort in both of his elbows, and it has now been five or six weeks since the veteran slugger has even swung a bat. Stanton isn’t in camp at all right now, as Yankees manager Aaron Boone told reporters (including Heyman and MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch) that Stanton is in New York due to reasons unrelated to his elbow injuries, and it isn’t known when Stanton might be back in Tampa to take part in Spring Training.
Based on the amount of time Stanton has already lost, it seems quite likely he’ll start the season on the injured list, if for no other reason than to give him extra time to fully get healthy and pick up some at-bats during extended Spring Training. Though hitting is the primary focus since Stanton is also a DH-only player, some overall physical maintenance is necessary given Stanton’s long history of lower-body injuries. These elbow problems are a new issue for Stanton, adding another unwelcome entry to his checkered injury history.
With all of this in mind, there might be an opening for Martinez in the Bronx, who could basically slide directly into Stanton’s role as the primary designated hitter. The right-handed hitting Martinez struggled against same-sided pitching in 2024, which could open the door for New York to use a left-handed bat or switch-hitter to spell Martinez against righty pitching.
Martinez hit .235/.320/.406 with 16 home runs over 495 plate appearances for the Mets last season, translating to a 108 wRC+. A .351 xwOBA that was far above his .318 wOBA indicates that Martinez may have been somewhat unlucky at the plate, as Martinez still made a lot of hard contact and his walk rate was well above the league average. His 28.5% strikeout rate was quite poor, though strikeouts have long been an issue for Martinez for much of his career. As noted, Martinez’s chief issue in 2024 was a lack of production against right-handed pitching — he had only a .683 OPS against righties, in comparison to an .836 OPS against southpaws.
It is fair to wonder if Martinez’s late start contributed to these numbers, as he didn’t sign with the Mets until March 23, and he didn’t make his season debut until April 26. By this standard, Martinez is at least ahead of last year’s schedule in terms of finding his next contract, though missing over two weeks of spring camp has already made for another adjustment to his usual offseason calendar. In regards to a possible deal with the Yankees, the club is likely to want to gather as much information as possible on Stanton before deciding on a next course of action, so it may yet be a while before the Yankees make a pursuit of Martinez or anyone at all if they opt for external help.
Martinez made a $12MM salary with the Mets last year, in the form of $4.5MM in actual salary and the rest in deferred payments. The dropoff from his 2023 numbers will mean that Martinez will surely have to settle for less than $12MM wherever he signs, and the Yankees’ luxury tax situation is another possible obstacle to a deal, even if Martinez was available at a relatively inexpensive price. RosterResource projects New York’s tax number at roughly $305.1MM, already over the highest penalty tier of $301MM, and thus meaning the team will be taxed at a 110 percent rate on every dollar spent beyond $301MM.
Let’s stop pretending this is actually goin happen
Let’s stop pretending that it won’t. Fits the Yankees offseason plans to a tee. Old has been players Yankee fans think will find the fountain of youth.
Well it could happen if they were able to trade Stroman. That’s unlikely also.
Mets Era, it’s just like how the Mets viewed him last year
100%. I hated the Mets signing him. It took abs from Vientos.
@Mets
Or is he simply the best bat available on the FA market and warrants a phone call for due diligence? Goldschmidt is the only recent addition over 32 they acquired and guess what, if he plays 150 games, hits 55 extra hits and plays good defense like he did in 2024 he would STILL be an improvement over what we got last year.
Go worry about your iconic RF but very, mediocre at best, rotation. You literally have a Picasso on your wall surrounded by used IKEA furniture you bought from Offer UP.
It says something that Picasso would rather play across town. The Yankees besides Judge are used furniture and would love to be valued as IKEA furniture. I might be biased against Yankee pitching because the Mets absolutely tear up Cole and Williams but your pitching staff won’t be much better then the Mets and your lineup is no where near as good.
@Mets
Like most of Cohen’s art collection, Soto simply went to the highest bidder. It’s been said that Cohen told Boras he’d beat any offer by $50 million. $765 + a very obtainable $40 mil option is $55 mil more than the Yanks final offer of $750 mil. Keep thinking he signed with you Brevard he always wanted to be a Met and rock the blue and orange. I’m sure he was always in awe of their history of 2 chips they’ve won, the last being almost 40 years ago. Or maybe it was the cattlecade of Met HOF?…Oh wait….
You can make up imaginary rumors and change facts but he only signed for the Mets for 5 million more over 15 years. Don’t really think he’s opting out of a 765 million dollar contract? Either way he’s in Queens for the rest of his career and not the Bronx. How many actual Yankee hall of famers have you actually watched play in your lifetime or is this a typical Yankee fan brag about players from 100 years ago?
@Mets
Reggie, Catfish Goose, hopefully Munson one day, Ricky, Winfield, Jeter, MO, hopefully Posada, hopefully Arod, Messina, CC, maybe Willie or Don one day?
@Mets
Soto doesn’t have to opt out for the $40 mil. Cohen just has to give it to him and I promise you, if Soto is performing well then he’ll just give it to him to avoid the drama of him possibly walking.
Jon Heyman says the Yankees have contacted a Boras client. Tells you all you need to know.
I wonder why they don’t just cut out the middle man and hire Heyman to represent them directly… I mean, with inflation and all, it would be more economical, right?
The Yankees got tired of hearing a boring old man say umm, and ask inexplicably long questions where he tries to answer his own question…. And on, and on.
Jon Heyman is boring and impossibly difficult to listen to.
In Heyman we trust? Lolololololol!!!
I can already hear Bob Costas well into his postseason form
“Giancarlo can’t really run anymore, but that’s a given, but he can still run into one when JD Martinez isn’t playing, which isnt much these days, but when he does they go a long way”
He’s toast.
Dry toast made with moldy bread.
We signed Goldy, might as well take a shot with J.D. What the hell do we have to lose, if he stinks kick him down the stairs & yell, Next!. Ahahahahaha!
Jose Abreu nods, then texts his agent.
This article is missing a key bit of information: despite the late start and short season, he tailed off catastrophically towards the end. To the point where he looked incapable of hitting mlb pitching.
Season numbers mask this.
I think it’s over for JD.
My guess is, if JD is brought in, it’ll be part of a platoon with Rice in case he struggles against LHP ( ). JD, despite his strife last year, hit at a .836 clip vs. lefties last year. If his price is cheap, he might be worth it just to face the Red Sox with Crochet and Chapman. Plus, he can be added depth in case Goldy gets injured (moving Rice to 1b and assuming full-time DH role of Stanton is unavailable). Depending on cost it would be criminal not to give thought to it so long as it doesn’t stand in the way of Rice getting a shot.
Please, no. Stop clogging up the DH spot.
As long as he’s not the full- time DH, this blocking Rice, then what’s he clogging on a 1 year low money deal?
I’ve had some contact with a Dave’s triple, with cheese.
Stanton or Martinez who is more consistent now. Stanton is a hang nail away to be on the IL for 2 months. Martinez is 37 does not have much more to give to his craft, not nearly worth what he is asking for should be a contract on incentives only. Save some money Yankees don’t sign Martinez, and as far as Stanton goes, keep the doors open for the trainer’s room Stanton will definitely be a customer, definitely not worth what he is paying paid by the Yankees.
IMO, why not bring Verdugo back on a cheap deal and DH Dominez. I’m surprised the Yankees brought back Grisham. The time is now for young players to step up, including Pereira, Pereza, and Spencer Jones
Verdugo was one of the worst hitters in baseball last season.
The Yankees didn’t “bring back” Grisham, he was was under control through this season.
I think Iglesias would be the better play than Verdugo. I want Jasson staking his claim in left.
Jasson needs more time to work on his defense.. hitting he is ready but defense is bad… I’d go for verdugos D
You work on your defense by like playing the position. Pretty simple drill.
Have you watched him at all this year in spring training so far? I think he had 3 errors or drops last week. Yes you do work on it by playing the position but if he boots a ball per game and costs the team that’s a problem I’d rather see him get some at bats. Keep shaggy Flys during BP and get a start in left every 3 games or so until he is fully ready
@Dmac
Wasn’t Verdugo signed already?
my bad. I thought he signed with the A’s or someone already. I wouldn’t want to do anything that might shake Jasson’s confidence.
Not that I am aware of
The fans will eat him up if he makes errors. That will do more damage to his confidence. It’s more than him just catching the ball it’s his tracking to the ball which is weird to me because he was a centerfielder. 2-3 weeks of playing in the minors everyday should help a ton but they really don’t have that option as they need DH and LF. Dominic smith and Duke Ellis are not the answers unless they play cabrera or peirera.
Why not play peraza at 2b, and jazz at 3b freeing up cabrera and djl for utility cabrera could do outfield and DJ could be 3b 2b
I can’t instant why they insist on making him play LF when he’s much more used to CF and they have Belli who can cover LF? Why mess with his psyche?
What are JD’s demands? I haven’t heard. One decent thing is it said his stats seemed to indicate that he was unlucky last season, as he still hit the ball hard. I agree though, he’s a shell of his former self, but not useless. He and Stanton are close, imo, but JD is more durable.
@desert
Assuming JD isn’t signed because he’s asking for big money, and assuming he withdraw block Rice from getting AB what would be the harm on a low money 1 year deal?
Heyman on a plane
Stanton’s disappearance is curious. Original reports said he was returning to NY to meet with team surgeon Dr. Christopher Ahmad, perhaps for a second opinion. Then that was updated to “personal reasons.” Stanton is not someone who leaves his team, so hopefully nothing serious family wise. It wouldn’t surprise me if the next news we hear is Stanton has already had surgery on his elbows. They’re under no requirement to release that news early in Spring Training.
Stanton normal habit and JD can not lift the bat
While this could be viewed as due diligence, there’s no reason to pay a DH only player unless Stanton were to miss the entire season.
Even then, there are plenty of options to give some run to Rice, Cabrera, Peraza or even Grisham.
Money spent on a limited option like Martinez is a waste.
How much more offense would Martinez realistically provide than what’s already in house. Rotate the DH spot or give Ben Rice another shot. Spencer Jones could break out and be worth a call up. Dominic Smith could be this seasons one year wonder like Carpenter was for the Yanks not too long ago. Is Martinez worth taking away a roster spot on this team.
What they need to do is to trade for Arenado. My advice is now, but if they want to be fools and wait until the deadline when there will be a bidding war that’s up to them.
It’ll be the Cardinals bidding how much of his contract they’ll have to pay off for someone to take him.
Zero percent chance the already-in-the-max-CBT Yanks buy Arenado, keep wishing BITA! Terrible post… again.
I’m convinced BITA/Joel/Blackpink/Youjustsaystupidcrapconstantly/etc has the IQ of a turnip.
Whoa buddy, no reason to go insulting turnips here pal!
Absolutely no interest in adding trash like arenado to this roster, and Mozelak has already said the Yankees told him they were not interested after Arenado played the other day
I’d rather have Brandon Belt. Made little sense he was unwanted last year after a .858 ops for Toronto in 2023 (.890 vs rhp). I doubt his contract demands were that high.
Cleveland fan here, I’d rather have soon to be 37 year old mostly DH Belt than soon to be 39 year old 1B Carlos Santana. Guards need bats who can hit rhp which Santana isn’t very good at. Move Manzardo more f/t into 1B or at least vs rhp and viola’!
Has anyone heard ANYTHING about Belt?
Belt had offers last winter and didn’t like any of them. We know by his own admission the Mets offered him a deal he turned down before they signed Martinez.
If he wouldn’t take offers he thought were “too low” last winter he definitely isn’t taking minor league offers to prove he has anything left now. He’s done
He didn’t even play last season, did he? That is weird as to why nobody ended up wanting him after his productive splits. It’s not like he’d be expensive. Especially now. And if I remember correctly, I think he was a good defender too. Or at least used to be.
It is weird, isn’t it? The Athletic did a piece on the several teams who could have benefited from Belt in last season’s playoffs but I’m no longer a subscriber so … oh well. It’s hard not to believe that given the numbers. If Peter Seidler had still been alive I imagine San Diego would have coughed up a few million. The guy can hit RHP in his sleep.
But I think he’s pretty spent as a defender. He started just 28 games for Toronto at 1B which actually isn’t bad considering the starting first baseman was just 24.
The only way the Yankees sign Martinez is if Stanton is facing a lengthy absence (think first half of the season) or the Yankees plan on plugging him into the Outfield more frequently upon his return. Having both would be redundant and odds of J.D. signing for cheap are slim
@Rsox
Why slim? He doesn’t seem to have a market?
Could be a nice pickup for Detroit, who could use the RH power. Carp can spell him at DH against the tough RH. Otherwise, Carp can play RF, at least until Vierling gets back. And besides, there’s no guarantee that Jung will take 3B and run with it. Though, I sure hope so. But Vierling may have to play alotta 3B when he gets back anyway, if Jung struggles.
The union should have their own spring training “team” for all the guys unsigned at the start just so they are able to be at game speed when signed.
Not a bad idea actually. Though some guys would fear getting hurt and not signing anything
The idea is good in principle, Wadesy, but lacks the practicality required for unsigned players to risk injury. Maybe include an insurance policy for all interested players??
@wade
that’s a great idea.
The “problem” becomes a financial one, of course. Who pays for the insurance policies? And at what determined insurance premium and at what salary rate? Who pays for the contract of a player that actually does get hurt for season/career? Lots of idiosyncratic symptoms to hurdle (via CBA o/c) but overall I like the idea of a Squad Team.
“I like it a lot” – Lloyd Christmas
The Yankees don’t actually want J.D. Martinez—they just want leverage over Giancarlo Stanton. It’s not about Martinez himself—it’s about power dynamics. The Yankees don’t need another aging, DH-only slugger with declining bat speed and platoon issues. But by creating the perception that they have alternatives, they can either push Stanton to expedite his return or justify sidelining him if he isn’t physically right.
Why would they need any leverage? They have to pay him either way. This is also Stanton you’re talking about, not some shiny new toy.
The Unction!
Weird to speculate that his late signing and start contributed to his overall mediocre performance. His OPS in the first half was .808 and in the second half was .623. He started really well but his game fell off a cliff when the calendar turned to July.
MLBTR articles often seem written by people with only a passing relationship to baseball, and who stopped paying attention early this century, such as the routine of thinking strikeouts matter.
Strikeouts for hitters don’t matter, or pitchers throwing strikeouts don’t matter? Or either one?
Haha aging bat only player. Perfect Giancarlo replacement. Maybe they should focus on that infield though. Woof
Stanton and JD were both available at the same time.
JD wound up with a 5 year deal in which he outperformed by a quite a bit and was one of the best hitters in baseball for at least 3 of those years. Contract ended 2 years ago and the Sox made out like bandits.
Stanton finished his transition from Mike to Giancarlo and has been exactly what I would expect a “Giancarlo” to be. He has been hurt since the day he put on the pinstripes and his contract will end in 2042.
Brian Cashman says eat your veggies boys and girls!!!
The should bring back Verdugo! What happens if the Martian can’t play left field and is a bust at the plate.
@pando8888 – Please no more Verdugo.
The Yankees really should play The Martian in CF and Bellinger in LF. It makes more sense to play Dominguez where he is comfortable and actually good (CF).
A new position worked for Chisholm, since he was already established. Better to not put so much on Dominguez’s plate (leadoff, new position and everyday at bats).
there is zero reason to move him from center field. the yankees are masters at jerking around their prospects
Off topic, but former Yankee Lucas Luetge has retired. One of the more successful Yankee reclamation projects for the bullpen.
.
A versatile player like Whit merrifield would be more valuable. They could play him anywhere and be able to rotate the rest of the lineup for days off at DH.
Totally agree, plus he adds another component of an oft-missing ability from the Yankees lineups in his base running. Granted, they should be better this year, but Whit could add to that dynamic shift.
Yeah, let’s sign a 37 year old who can’t play the field at all to clog up the DH spot. Cashman is an idiot if he does this.
@Yanks
My mind is blown. The DH is a full-time position. Giancarlo is injured for at least a month. JD would simply be filling in full or part-time with Rice. When G returns, you can simply have JD on the bench as depth for another G injury or as a pinch hitter. There literally is no reason not to consider him assuming he’s cheap.
If your mind is blown, it’s because you don’t understand the game. JD is now 37 years old, can’t play the field, can’t run and is a righty hitter that can only DH. He hit .234 last year with 16 dongs. For that little production, he would clog the spot up for a positional player like Judge who needs a day off the field.
The pickings are slim at this point on the free agent side…..but of what’s left I would definitely sign Jose Iglesias as an IF option and then check the price tags on Rizzo and Verdugo. Why? Rizz is a few years younger, a lefty hitter and can at least platoon with Goldy at 1B. Having them both or one at DH and one in the field will keep them fresher. Verdugo is another lefty with a stellar glove at least who can play LF and have Dominguez DH….allowing him to play up his bat.
@Yanks
What the hell has a Stanton been for the last 5 years? A full- time DH, and there’s no saying how long he’ll be out or if he’ll go back on the DL. If JD can be had for 1/$1 or $2 mil and incentives, then why not? When G returns, he can be sent to the bench or released. I’m a big fan of Rice and world line for him to be the primary DH, but what if he struggles initially vs. lefties? Then JD can come in and DH. He hit at a .836 clip vs. lefties last year. I’m really not worried about resting, guys, during the months of March and April. If Judge needs a day off then he can either sit in the dugout or you DH him and play Grisham or Cabrera. If DJ needs a rest then you play Cabrera or Peraza. I don’t think DJs bat out of the lineup is going to be that much better than having JDs bat. You guys are over thinking this.
Yes lets have not one full time DH, but TWO! And have the second one be even more past his prime than the first, and just about an average production from the plate (108 OPS+). Couldnt think of anything better for roster construction. Maybe we should see what Jose Bautista is up to?
Exactly
@Beg
This is about insurance against Stantons injury turning into something more long term or Goldy getting injured, which would likely cause Rice to move to 1b. And JD is excellent vs. lefties as he had a .836 OPS last year. And if he struggles or Stanton come back healthy, then just release him. It’s not that big a deal. I’m not advocating to sign him to more than a mil or two. Offensively we don’t exactly have a huge bat near ready unless Spencer shows us some improvements this spring.
@KnicksFanCavsFan
There are zero reasons to sign JDM who tailed off in the second half of last year. What purpose would it be to have JDM on the bench when Giancarlo is back? Give Goldy and DJL more reps at DH if need be and play Rice at 1B.
@Yanks
Who says you can’t sign JD and still give Rice the bulk of at bats at DH?
Then what’s the point of signing Goldy?
Is that a real question? He was brought in to be there full-time 1b. Let me be clear about my preference. If Stanton isn’t available then I’d prefer they give the DH at bats to Rice. I think it’s critical to see what he can do in 2025 so they can access their options for 1b post-2025. But that doesn’t exclude them from signing JD if he can be had for $1 or $2 mil. He’s no worse of a defender or base runner than Stanton and his bat wasn’t that much worse. He walked slightly more, struck out slightly less but hit fewer homers. Shea stadium is a little deeper than YS, maybe he can increase his power a little. But honestly, he should suffice for a month or so. But with Rice as the primary DH right now, what happens if Goldy gets injured? What happens if GS needs more time or inccurs another injury? Why not add depth now and try him out in spring training rather than have to scramble for someone else? And yes, JD had a horrible 2nd half, especially September but he also hit lefties well historicaly and at a .836 clip in 2024. Goldy historicaly hits righties pretty well but last year struggled to hit .700 OPS vs them. What if Rice struggle vs lefties as a DH (although I’m willing to deal with his rookie struggles) or if he needs to move to 1b to cover Goldy if injured? If Goldy struggles vs righties then you can move Rice to 1b and JD can DH. If Rice struggles vs lefties then JD can DH that day. Signing JD can give you, if needed, a righty/lefty option at 1B (Goldy and Rice) and a righty/lefty option at DH (Rice and JD). To me, it’s all about depth and having him in camp to see what he can or can’t do makes sense, depending on who would have to be moved off the 40 man.
Either sign JD or Adam Duvall to cover Stanton
stick him at third add see what happens
if nothing else he’ll provide some comic relief
I mean I get it, but I’d rather sign Duvall and platoon him with rice by giving judge DH days VS LHP
Toronto needs JD Martinez more than anyone
I was looking and noticed that the Dodgers lineup looks a bit thin. Maybe there’s room for JD there.
All kidding aside, I wouldn’t mind seeing JD back in Boston for a season to help work with the young bats they have coming up.
JD is now 37 years old, can’t play the field, can’t run and is a righty hitter that can only DH. He hit .234 last year with 16 dongs. For that little production, he would clog the spot up for a positional player like Judge who needs a day off the field.
The pickings are slim at this point on the free agent side…..but of what’s left I would definitely sign Jose Iglesias as an IF option and then check the price tags on Rizzo and Verdugo. Rizz is a few years younger, a lefty hitter and can at least platoon with Goldy at 1B. Having them both or one at DH and one in the field will keep them fresher. Verdugo is another lefty with a stellar glove at least who can play LF and have Dominguez DH….allowing him to play up his bat.
The more I’m thinking about this…..VERDUGO is the guy to go get right now. Why? He didn’t hit well last year, but IS a career .272 hitter, a lefty swing and a GG fielder to sure up the D. Let him play LF, then you can alternate the Martian with Beli in CF….Goldy and Beli at 1B and all 3 can DH at times. More roster flexibility, more rest for Goldy and betting on youth and upside. Duggie is still only 28. Get it done!
@Yanks
So that means every game you’re going to sit one of Goldy, Belli, Martian or Stanton when he’s healthy? No. Too complicated. Rather just sign JD and release him is needed
It’s called having a bench. That’s what winning teams do. Good grief, dude!
No one will be able to convince me how someone like Kyle Isbel or Gavin Sheetz have jobs but Martinez doesn’t
With Stanton likely gone thru at least Memorial Day — and probably the All Star Game — it depends on how much money Martinez will demand. For $5 million, the Yankees will have a professional bat to replace Stanton. For $10 Million, the Yankees will look elsewhere.
Like a fly at a picnic.
I like JD. By all reports he’s a great club guy, with smarts and a good work ethic. H studies hitting and is a good teacher. The Yankees (cursed be their name) would be lucky to have him.