The Mets are going to hire J.D. Martinez as a special advisor to baseball operations, reports Tim Healey of The Boston Globe. Though there’s no mention of retirement, Martinez is now 38 years old and hasn’t played in the big leagues since 2024, so this seems to signal that he is moving into his post-playing days.
Martinez had a long stretch as one of the best hitters in the majors but it didn’t always seem like it would play out that way. He was drafted by the Astros with a 20th-round pick back in 2009. He made it to the big leagues in 2011 but didn’t immediately flourish. By the end of the 2013 season, he had taken 975 trips to the plate but had produced a tepid .251/.300/.387 line. That resulted in an 87 wRC+, indicating he was 13% worse than league average. Martinez was a corner outfielder without much speed, so it was hard for him to provide value when he wasn’t hitting. The Astros gave up, releasing Martinez in March of 2014.
He was scooped up by the Tigers, who signed him to a minor league deal. That allowed Detroit to benefit from Martinez breaking out offensively. He hit ten home runs in 17 Triple-A games to begin the season and was up in the majors three weeks into April. He hit 23 more home runs in the big leagues that year, slashing .315/.358/.553. He added two more long balls in the postseason, though the Tigers were eliminated by the Orioles in the ALDS.
The Tigers’ competitive window closed, though Martinez continued to perform. He hit another 38 home runs in 2015 while putting up a .282/.344/.535 line. He was selected to his first All-Star team that summer and went on to win a Silver Slugger award. In 2016, he missed time due to an elbow injury and only got into 120 games but still hit another 22 home runs and slashed .307/.373/.535.
In 2017, Martinez was an impending free agent and the Tigers were in rough shape, as they would eventually lose 95 games that year. That made Martinez a logical summer trade chip, so he was flipped to the Diamondbacks for Dawel Lugo, Sergio Alcántara and Jose King.
It was a tremendous pick-up for the Snakes, as Martinez went on a torrid power binge. He hit 29 home runs in just 67 games for Arizona down the stretch, including a four-homer game on September 4th, the 18th instance of a four-homer game in major league history. He helped the Snakes win 93 games and make the playoffs, though they were ultimately knocked out by the Dodgers in the NLDS.
He finished the season with 45 home runs overall and a combined .303/.376/.690 line, giving him a fantastic platform for free agency. The midseason trade also helped, as it meant he was ineligible to receive a qualifying offer. The Red Sox gave him a $110MM deal over five years to get him to Fenway, with opt-outs after the second, third and fourth years.
The deal paid immediate dividends for Boston. Martinez hit 43 home runs for them in 2018, helping mount a strong .330/.402/.629 line. The team won 108 games and then cruised through the postseason, never losing more than one game in a series. Martinez added three playoff home runs with a .300/.403/.520 line as the Sox won the World Series for the fourth time in the 15-year span which started in 2004.
Martinez continued hitting over the course of his deal, except in the shortened 2020 season, but never used his opt-outs. He played out the entirety of the five-year pact with Boston, launching 130 home runs with a .292/.363/.526 batting line.
He returned to free agency but was limited to short-term offers ahead of his age-35 season. He signed a one-year, $10MM deal with the Dodgers for 2023. He hit 33 home runs but saw his strikeout rate jump to 31.1%, four points above his previous career high. The Dodgers won 100 games but were defeated by the Diamondbacks in the NLDS.
Martinez then joined the Mets for the 2024 season via a one-year deal, signed late in March. That was technically worth $12MM but with notable deferrals. Martinez lowered his strikeout rate by a few ticks relative to the prior season but saw his home run total essentially halved to 16, in roughly the same number of plate appearances. The Mets won 89 games and progressed as far as the NLCS before losing to the Dodgers.
Shortly after the Mets were eliminated, Martinez revealed that he thought about hanging up his spikes when he remained unsigned deep into the 2023-24 offseason.“Here I am, the team’s breaking in five days, and I don’t even have a team yet,” he said. “Your brain goes into a weird mode, where you’re like ‘Am I playing? Am I not? Am I playing? Am I not? Is this it? Am I retired?'” Going into 2025, his name popped up in some rumors but he didn’t sign anywhere and sat out the season.
Now it seems Martinez is moving into the next phase of his career. Assuming his playing days are over, he finishes his career with 6,865 plate appearances in 1,642 games played. He racked up 1,741 hits, including 331 home runs. He scored 897 runs and drove in 1,071. He made six All-Star teams, won three Silver Slugger awards and one World Series ring. FanGraphs credits him with 32.1 wins above replacement, with Baseball Reference putting him a bit lower at 30.8 WAR. B-Ref pegs his career earnings just under $154MM. He had an incredible six-year peak from 2014 to 2019 during which he slashed .307/.373/.581. His 151 wRC+ for that span was topped only by Mike Trout, among hitters with at least 2,000 plate appearances.
We at MLB Trade Rumors salute Martinez on his excellent career and wish him the best as he pivots to the next phase of his life.
Photos courtesy of John E. Sokolowski, Rick Osentoski, Kim Klement, Brad Penner, Imagn Images
Special advisor to Paul Reiser
He was awful his last 5 seasons, so enjoy that guidance, Mets players.
He was an all star 5 times in his final 6 seasons (excluding covid year), he just had the one bad season with the Mets to end his career
My gosh which one is it?
Regardless, he deserves kudos for a tremendous career. As good as Betts was in 18, to me JDM was the difference maker, the MVP. DH is a position too and it’s not easy sitting around waiting for your next AB.
Mookie had a bWAR of 10.7. Martinez was at 6.7.
El, of course Mookie’s WAR was higher given his glove. I choose to use my eyes over saberstats and having watched 98% of the games in 18, JDM was so clutch (Mookie was also but I just remember JDM coming through time and time again. He was the roster difference maker in my view. Just my take,
They’re prob more interested in his advice regarding winning trophies, not so much swan song storytelling. But you know that.
Baseball is still hard, even if your mechanics are perfect. J.D. might not have been up in his later years physically, but it appears the Mets would like for his assistance in helping younger players.
He was also on the 2024 team, so they probably hired him because Jose Iglesias is still playing.
As a Dodger Fan he was great in 2023 fell victim to him being a stop gap year until Ohtani I would take 270/33/100 any year. Sad he didn’t get a mutli year offer going into 2024 cause his numbers were there in 2023
@Trillionare: Dude had a 122 OPS+ in his last four seasons, which includes his poor final season. You just love being wrong, don’t you?
rct
“You just love being wrong, don’t you?”
Trolls get attention for being negative because they can’t say anything interesting to get attention for
This ^
metzfan you clearly aren’t a Mets fan because you’re freaking clueless about the incredible impact he had on the team the year he played with them. the players looked up to him and credited him with their hitting approach. Your post is embarrassing
No he wasn’t. Had a down 2022 but a really good 2023. He did lose a lot of bat speed with the Mets and couldn’t catch up with fastballs anymore. His pre-game preparation has been compared to only Albert Pujols. Martinez could be a really good hitting coach in the future
Trill – How many hitting coaches were great MLB hitters or even good MLB hitters?
JDM has a solid reputation for helping teammates with hitting, in fact he’s helped Mookie tremendously throughout his career.
What an idiot you are.
You’re showing you don’t know wth you’re talking about.
TTO- Is this just rage bait for Martinez and Mets fans? How many current hitting coaches had the offensive career he had? You do realize that age impacts offensive ability which has absolutely nothing to do with the ability to be a great coach. He was well respected and helped young players, which is what you are looking for with a coach.
Uncle – Exactly! Very very few MLB hitting instructors were ever good at hitting in the majors. JDM was VERY good at it for a long time.
Conversely, being a great hitter doesn’t guarantee you’d be a great hitting instructor. Ted Williams was arguably the greatest hitter ever, and he was an awful manager. It’s not just about hitting skills, it’s about communicating effectively and understanding why each individual player is underperforming.
for about 10 years he was 1 of the best hitters.
2014-2023 averaged 37 hr, 111 rbi, .293 avg, 41 doubles, 98 runs per 162 games
good luck in this next chapter JD
forgot to mention he went to the postseason with 5 different teams (won WS with redsox). he brought winning vibes everywhere he went
The Manny Ramirez of the next generation. One of the top 5 right handed hitters in the games history.
Hey, I love JD but he isn’t even one of the top 50 right-handed hitters in the history of the game.
I guess his wife told him to find something to do.
Ha ha ha yes! Bad wife! Get in the kitchen, amirite???
Welcome to the Hall of Pretty Good J.D.
When he was with the Mets he complained that his new shoes were causing him problems. It turned out he got new shoes from Adidas and changed to a different pair every three days. Look it up – July 2024. A shipment was late and he had to get a pair from Amazon. Joe Jackson once got shoes that did not fit, so he played without them. And thus a legend was born. BTW if you are ever in Greenville, SC the Shoeless Joe Jackson museum is a marvelous 90 minute visit, staffed by some really enthusiastic volunteers (mostly retired fans). And it’s a very short walk to their minor league park. Open on Saturdays from 10-2.
haha, I remember that. And great suggestion on the Shoeless Joe museum. If I ever make it down there again, I will check it out. The Ty Cobb museum is Georgia is supposed to be great, too.
A lot of times you get retired instead of retiring. Actually, a great majority of times.
There’s levels to this. I wouldn’t consider putting JD in that bucket. He was a star. Father Time is undefeated, but it’s not like he was awful for 5 years before hanging them up.
Class act. Wishing him well as an executive
Exactly. People are overlooking this trait as they try to argue he wasn’t a good enough hitter.
I wanted the Mets to hire him as the hitting coach, and this might help even more.
He should be allowed to pinch hit once a week without being rostered. Because reasons.
He filled awn Ortiz sized hole in our lineup, if not in our hearts.
2018 Red Sox considered him the team MVP for his leadership and mentoring. That is the year Mookie won the MVP
In his years with the RS, we learned that he went into the clubhouse and analyzed every pitch from his recent at bat. He was a DH, so he had plenty of time. When they would show him in the dugout when the Sox were hitting, his motions and expressions indicated that he was instructing anyone who would listen about what he learned.
Touted him as RS hitting coach every opportunity I got.
Even though he spent 5 seasons in Boston and helped the Sox win a championship i think i will always remember J.D. Martinez for his absurdly incredible run as a mid-season trade acquisition with the Diamondbacks in 2017
Probably not a favorite of Cora’s or he would be doing this in Boston! He would be great for these young guys!
Comnplete and unofficial title: Special Advisor to getting Mark Vientos on track again.
Wouldn’t that be something
Probably too expensive for the Red Sox to add to their front office.
lol well said – they’d rather hire a guy whose stocking shelves at the local grocery store whose high school career was marred with injuries. Could get that guy for nothing!
The Red Sox would rather hire some failed minor leaguer to run things.
“He had an incredible six-year peak from 2014 to 2019 during which he slashed .307/.373/.581. His 151 wRC+ for that span was topped only by Mike Trout, …”
Mr. McDonald, try going a day or two without hoisting another “incredible” on my tender ears. If you change it up and write “outstanding” now and then, your high school English teacher will be proud of you.
I think his high school English teacher would be proud of him already. He’s managed to get a job writing about baseball.
rct: Which tells us a lot about what the standards are. Incredible, I tell you!
Never forget his return from a broken arm for Detroit. He came to bat against Chris Sale and sent the first pitch into the stands in the deepest part of the park.
Equal opportunity for the insane.
Next manager after Mendoza is removed from being the manager
Could always try Beltran again! Haha
J.D. Martinez (often stylized as JD Martinez) earned a reputation as one of baseball’s smartest hitters through his deep, analytical approach to the game—particularly his swing mechanics and hitting philosophy—which many in the industry describe as “savant-like.” This intellect, combined with his leadership and mentorship during his playing career (especially with the 2024 New York Mets), has positioned him as a potential future coaching or managerial candidate.16
The Swing Overhaul That Showcased His Smarts
Early in his career with the Houston Astros and Detroit Tigers, Martinez was a solid but unspectacular player. Around 2013–2014, he underwent a dramatic transformation by studying video and data on elite hitters. He realized that top power hitters weren’t swinging “down” on the ball (the old-school mantra) but instead creating an upward swing plane to generate launch angle and lift for more home runs and extra-base hits.31
He worked with independent hitting coaches (like Craig Wallenbrock and Robert Van Scoyoc) to completely rebuild his mechanics:
• He adjusted his bat path into a more circular, “Ferris wheel”-like motion while keeping his body aligned.
• He focused on getting the barrel on plane early with the pitch, maintaining angle, and optimizing exit velocity and hard contact.
• He embraced technology (Edgerton cameras, high-speed video, TrackMan/Statcast data) to measure and refine every detail.32
The results were transformative. Martinez became a consistent All-Star and MVP-caliber slugger (six All-Star nods, career .283/.348/.516 slash line with 331+ home runs). Peers and analysts praised him not just for the physical changes but for his intellectual curiosity—he treated hitting like a science project, constantly experimenting and articulating complex ideas in clear, teachable ways. This “hitting savant” label stuck because he could break down swing flaws, launch angle, exit velo, and approach in ways that went beyond typical player intuition.21
Leadership and Mentorship (Especially with the Mets)
Martinez wasn’t just a smart hitter in isolation—he actively helped teammates. During his time with the Mets in 2024 (as a key part of their “OMG” playoff push), he was vocal in the clubhouse, sharing insights on hitting, mental approach, and preparation. Manager Carlos Mendoza and others have highlighted his positive influence on younger players.43
His recent hiring (as of late March 2026) as a special assistant/adviser to baseball operations with the Mets formalizes this role. It’s modeled after Carlos Beltrán’s similar position, involving time with players during the season, hitting advice, and contributing to baseball ops. Mendoza called it a “huge addition” and expressed excitement about integrating Martinez’s knowledge.0
Why a Future Manager/Coaching Candidate?
• Deep baseball IQ: His ability to analyze swings, use data without being overly reliant on it, and communicate effectively makes him a natural teacher. Many ex-players transition to hitting coach roles first (a common path for managerial candidates).
• Player respect: Active and recently retired players listen to him because he walked the walk—reinventing himself mid-career through intellect rather than raw talent alone.
• Modern game fit: Today’s MLB values coaches who blend old-school feel with analytics, technology, and mental skills. Martinez checks all those boxes.
• Clubhouse presence: He’s shown leadership qualities, and some Mets fans and observers already jokingly (or seriously) float him as a future manager if/when Mendoza’s tenure ends.
In short, Martinez stands out because he exemplifies the thoughtful, data-informed evolution of baseball hitting while remaining a relatable leader. Not every power hitter becomes a coach or manager, but those who deeply understand why things work (and can teach it) often do. His new Mets role is a clear stepping stone in that direction.
Yellow: nice post. Let’s hire him today. Mendoza can’t handle the job.
Fingers crossed. And I’m a reformed Mendoza defender. Horrible bullpen mismanagement.
The Astros DFAed a young JD Martinez and released him.
The Detroit Tigers were the ONLY MLB team WITH ANY INTEREST IN GIVING JD Martinez A CHANCE TO PLAY MLB baseball and took a flyer on him by signing JD as a free agent when no other team was interested.
Martinez was signed by the Tigers based on his relationship with the the Asst GM AL Avila who worked for then Tigers President of Baseball Ops Dave Dombrowski.
Avila’s son, Alex Avila, who was drafted by the Tigers and became a very good MLB starting catcher, had played with JD in baseball leagues in the Miami area.
So, like the Tommy La Sorda/Mike Piazza connection,
the Avila Family connection gave JD Martinez and opportunity
and path to Major league baseball that NO OTHER TEAM WAS OFFERING.
It was in Detroit that JD Martinez recognized that he was being given one last chance to make it as a Pro/MLB ballplayer.
It was that realization that lead JD Martinez to completely revamp his swing and turn himself into an All Star player with the Detroit Tigers.
Former Tigers GM Al Avila (from the Dombrowski MLB tree)
is an excellent scout with a great eye for talent and future potential.
Avila scouted and discovered Miguel Cabrera and many others while working the the Marlins Front Office for Pres of Baseball Ops Dave Dombrowski.
Avila will never get the properly deserved credit because of the way he was fired by the Tigers, but Al Avila deserves honors and accolades if the current Tigers team wins a Championship during this run of contention:
Key Players/Draft picks Current Detroit Tigers Roster Drafted/Signed by Al Avila:
Tarik Skubal (LHP): 9th round, 2018
Riley Greene (OF): 1st round, 2019
Colt Keith (INF): 5th round, 2020
Spencer Torkelson (1B): 1st round, 2020
Casey Mize (RHP): 1st round, 2018
Parker Meadows (OF): 2nd round, 2018
Kerry Carpenter (OF): 19th round, 2019
Dillon Dingler (C): 2nd round, 2020
Beau Brieske (RHP): 27th round, 2019
Will Vest (RHP): 12th round, 2017
Brant Hurter (LHP): 7th round, 2021
Jackson Jobe (RHP): 1st round, 2021
Justin Verlander (Dave Dombrowski/Al Avila Era)
Note: Jake Rogers and Reese Olson were also acquired via trades during Avila’s tenure
Add Manager AJ Hinch who was hired by Al Avila.