Inside The Mets

Free Agent Superstar Slugger 'Likes' The Idea Of Joining New York Mets

The New York Mets have re-engaged with this free agent superstar slugger, who would be a major addition to their offense with the 2024 regular season just around the corner.

Pat Ragazzo

Free Agent Superstar Slugger 'Likes' The Idea Of Joining New York Mets
Free Agent Superstar Slugger 'Likes' The Idea Of Joining New York Mets /
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The New York Mets still have the opportunity to place the cherry on top of their roster with the regular season approaching fast.

According to MLB insider Jon Heyman of The New York Post, free agent superstar slugger J.D. Martinez "likes the idea of the Mets."

Heyman also noted that Martinez likes the idea of joining the Los Angeles Angel as well.

Martinez and the Mets recently re-engaged in talks recently, but MLB insider Andy Martino of SNY reported on March 13 that these discussions have never gotten serious.

The Mets were reportedly in serious discussions on bringing back DH/third baseman J.D. Davis, who wound up signing with the Oakland Athletics instead.

President of baseball operations David Stearns has made it clear that he is comfortable with the team he has assembled, but will still be opportunistic. 

Inking Martinez on a bargain deal would fall under the category of capitalizing on an opportunity to upgrade the Mets' offense in a major way and provide protection to superstar first baseman Pete Alonso in a walk-year.

Martinez, who struggled in the second half of 2022 with the Boston Red Sox due to recurring back spasms, bounced back in a major way with the Los Angeles Dodgers last season by making the NL All-Star team while slashing .271/.321/.572 with a .893 OPS, 33 home runs and 103 RBIs. 

The dilemma with Martinez is that he already turned down a $15 million deal with the San Francisco Giants because Oracle Park is known as a pitcher's friendly ballpark. 

The Mets were also engaged with DH/third baseman Justin Turner back in December, who eventually signed with the Toronto Blue Jays for $13 million.

But Mets owner Steve Cohen has given David Stearns the green light to pursue Martinez. Whether they can come to an agreement remains to be seen.

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Pat Ragazzo
PAT RAGAZZO

Pat Ragazzo is the reporter, publisher, site manager and executive editor for Sports Illustrated's Mets and Yankees On SI websites. Pat was selected as The Top Reporter & Publisher of the Year 2024 by the International Association of Top Professionals (IAOTP) for outstanding leadership, dedication, and commitment to the industry. He has been seen on several major TV Network stations including: NBC4, CBS2, FOX5, PIX11 and NY1; and is frequently heard on ESPN New York FM 880 AM and WFAN Sports Radio 101.9 FM as a guest. Pat also serves as the Mets insider for the "Allow Me 2 Be Frank" podcast hosted by Frank "The Tank" Fleming of Barstool Sports. You can follow him on Twitter/X: @ragazzoreport.

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