Martinez finalizes deal with Mets
Port St. Lucie, Fla. — J.D. Martinez and the New York Mets finalized a $12 million, one-year contract on Saturday.
The 36-year-old designated hitter gets a $2.5 million signing bonus, $2 million this year and $7.5 million in deferred money, payable in $1.5 million installments each Jan. 15 from 2034-38.
“Fortunately enough, I found a place here with New York and one of those last-second-type things and it worked out,” Martinez told reporters in Port St. Lucie, Florida. "I'm excited to be here. I know the guys are super excited to have me, and I'm super excited to just be in the clubhouse with them and I'm ready for the journey ahead of us.”
Big numbers
Martinez hit .271 with 33 homers and 103 RBIs in just 113 games last year for the Los Angeles Dodgers, providing solid value on the oneyear, $10 million contract he signed before the season. Back and groin problems limited his availability, but he added a National League AllStar selection to the five times he made it in the AL with Detroit and Boston.
He slots into the middle of the Mets' lineup and gives them another power hitter to pair with Pete Alonso. Both can become free agents after this season.
Martinez said Alonso was a strong advocate to bring him on board.
After waiting all spring to land a job, Martinez said he'll probably need at least 15 days to get ready for the season.
So he won't break camp with the Mets in time for opening day Thursday against Milwaukee.
“It kind of sucks. Obviously, I want to break with the team. I want to be there. I want to be there for opening day. That's a special thing to be a part of,” Martinez said. "But I've got to get my body ready. I've got to have my spring training now and I've got to get ready for the season. The last thing I want to do is kind of just rush through it and get hurt. So I want to make sure I take it slow and build my body up to get back out there.”
To open a roster spot for Martinez, the Mets designated righthander Phil Bickford for assignment.
New President of Baseball Operations David Stearns had insisted the Mets wanted to give youngsters Mark Vientos and Brett Baty plenty of at-bats this season rather than bring in a veteran at DH or third base. But now Martinez becomes the primary DH instead of Vientos, who could still share playing time at third with Baty, getting chances against left-handed pitching in particular.