Veteran slugger JD Martinez and the Dodgers have reached a one-year, $10 million deal, a source told MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand on Saturday. The deal, which is pending the completion of a physical, has not been confirmed by the club.
Martinez was last a free agent after the 2017 season and signed a five-year contract with the Red Sox that proved quite beneficial for both sides. The Florida native batted .292/.363/.526 with 130 home runs over those five seasons, making four All-Star teams and winning two Silver Slugger Awards (both in 2018, when he won at both outfield and DH).
Meanwhile, Martinez was a key factor in Boston’s 2018 championship and ’21 run to the ALCS. In 23 postseason games with the Sox, he batted .317/.420/.585 with six homers and 24 RBIs.
However, 2022 was a bit of a down year for Martinez, who turned 35 in August. That was especially true in the power department. While he hit 43 doubles in 139 games, his 16 homers and .448 slugging percentage represented significant declines. From 2017-19, Martinez averaged 41 big flies.
The other issue for Martinez going forward is his ability to play defense, as the Red Sox used him exclusively at DH in 2022. Going back to 2018, Martinez has logged only 137 games in the outfield and posted minus-12 Outs Above Average.
A late bloomer, Martinez wasn’t selected until the 20th round of the 2009 Draft by the Astros out of Nova Southeastern University. He spent time with Houston from 2011-13 but struggled at the plate and was released during Spring Training 2014. However, a revamped swing led to a 2014 breakout with the Tigers, and Martinez has been one of the game’s top sluggers ever since. Over the last nine seasons, his 571 extra-base hits rank second in MLB behind only Nolan Arenado.
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