It’s time for the Mets to just sign J.D. Martínez

David Stearns speaks about a potential Pete Alonso extension. Plus, why the Mets should bite the bullet and sign J.D. Martínez.

What’s up with the Mets? 🍎

• David Stearns said that the Mets are “invested” in keeping Pete Alonso with the organization long term (Foul Territory)

• Baseball writer Jon Morosi thinks the Mets are “as likely as anyone else” to sign DH J.D. Martínez (MLB Network)

• Andy Martino reports that Martínez and the Mets are still a ways apart in terms of financials (SNY)

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Just sign J.D. Martínez… ✍️

As the offseason continues to creep along to the start of Spring Training, several notable free agents have remained available. With many of these players not originally anticipated to still be unsigned in February, less than a week before pitchers and catchers report, that development could be something that changes the calculus for several teams.

There are probably quite a few clubs that were not originally interested in players such as Cody Bellinger, Matt Chapman or Blake Snell at their initial price tags, but as they continue to be available could now decide to jump in based on presumably lowering costs.

For the Mets, that unsigned free agent is J.D. Martínez.

We’ve written about the designated hitter position a lot on Just Mets this offseason as one of the team’s most glaring holes. As recently as last week, all reports had indicated that the organization was once again content with using internal options at DH and that Mark Vientos would get a majority of those at-bats. Vientos himself even spoke to reporters about that from camp earlier this week.

“I’m very happy – I’m happy for the opportunity,” Vientos said. “I feel like I’m ready for the opportunity so I’m just gonna go out there and do my thing.”

The winds may be shifting, however, as the New York Post’s Mike Puma reported on Tuesday that the club was now in a dialogue with Martínez and his camp on a potential contract.

“If the price is right, just maybe the Mets will bite,” Puma wrote.

That price may not be exactly right for New York just yet, though, as SNY’s Andy Martino reported on Wednesday that the two sides were “nowhere close” to a deal.

According to Martino’s reporting, the Mets have not prioritized the DH spot this offseason and would need the price tag to continue to come down to pounce on a deal. At age 36, though, and still unsigned in February, it’s tough to see Martínez getting anything longer than a one-year deal at this point. It’s not my money (or luxury tax bill), but in my opinion there’s no such thing as a bad one-year contract in sports.

After a rough end to his 2022 season with the Red Sox, Martínez bounced back in a big way with the Dodgers last season. In 113 games, the veteran right-hander hit .271/.321/.572 with 33 home runs, 27 doubles, 103 RBI and a 134 OPS+ (his highest since the 2019 season). Not only would Martínez offer some addition pop and major protection for Pete Alonso in the lineup, but he could also help this club solve their woes against left-handed pitching.

Last season, the Mets had a 91 OPS+ as a team and were a league-worst 18-25 vs left-handers (h/t Jolly Olive). Martínez would help these numbers in a big way as he mashed against lefties last season, hitting .274/.343/.581 with nine home runs, nine doubles, 27 RBI and a .925 OPS against them in 67 games.

Martínez did have some lingering injury issues last year with his groin and hamstring that caused him to miss time – muscle injuries that do seem to increase with older players – but in the event that they lost him for a short amount of time, the club would be able to still go with the bats they’d already planned on using at DH as fill-ins.

I’m not giving up on Vientos yet, though I know a lot of people are despite 218 career at-bats scattered across two seasons, but I think you can find the at-bats for him over time. You can platoon him with Brett Baty at third base, have him fill in at DH and first base when Alonso or Martínez need a day or at worst, start him off in Triple-A for regular playing time until he’s needed.

If the Mets want to be one of those sneaky good teams that can potentially slip into that third Wild Card spot, they’re going to need some players that spark them with big-time years. Even at his age, even with him still being unsigned today, J.D. Martínez is certainly capable of acting as one of those guys.

Get it done.

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Hot Stove 🔥

• The Brewers reportedly signed C/DH Gary Sánchez to a one-year, $7 million contract

• The Pirates reportedly signed RHP Brent Honeywell to a minor league contract