Dodgers Offseason: L.A. Adds DH Specialist J.D. Martinez
Activate the free agent signing alarm, Dodger fans!! ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan announced that your Los Angeles Dodgers have acquired Designated hitter specialist J.D. Martinez.
Designated hitter J.D. Martinez and the Los Angeles Dodgers are in agreement on a one-year, $10 million contract, sources familiar with the deal tell ESPN.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 17, 2022
Passan says the deal is for one-year, $10 million, and will reunite him with Mookie Betts and hitting coach Robert Von Scoyoc who was vital to Martinez’s success.
J.D. Martinez is coming off an All-Star season at 34, slashing .274/.341/.448 with a .790 OPS. He is a 12-year veteran who spent his last five seasons with the Boston Red Sox and winning the World Series in 2018.
The 35-year-old has spent the last couple of seasons in the D.H. role while playing in the outfield every once in a blue moon.
L.A. added a much-needed slugger to the lineup who will provide tons of power alongside Betts, Freddie Freeman, and Will Smith. Last season, the Dodgers mostly juggled between Justin Turner and Max Muncy at the D.H. spot and sprinkled in a little bit of Smith from time to time. Now that spot belongs to J.D., who has been one of the better D.H.s in the league.
It may not be the superstar name we expected, but with who’s left, J.D. is a good pickup for the Boys in Blue.
Welcome to Los Angeles, J.D. we’re happy to have you here.
What do you guys think of the signing, Dodger fans?
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That means Justin Turner is not coming back. End of an era….
Yep, makes me think this is a death nell for J.T.. Other implication is we won’t have the flexibility to move others thru the DH position much. Would rather have signed Drury to a multiyear deal, IMHO. Either way we probably just went over the first CBT threshold
What has being going on with Justin Turner? Does anyone know? Has there been any conversation between LA Dodgers and Justin Turner????
Well, JD is a decent signing for DH; but that may mean Justin Turner will not be back. JD pretty much just DH’s right now.
Good move!
I agree. This most likely means JT is gone. But, it isn’t a certainty. He can still play some 3rd base. Maybe 100-120 games? JD Martinez can play a few games in left too. So the real question is who plays 2B? If not traded, Muncy, plays 3rd? Still say Dodgers will trade for a CF. Don’t think JT or Muncy can handle 2B with the shift ban. One thing for certain, the Dodgers aren’t done reworking the team yet!
The Dodgers just won the offseason!!! In 2016!!
I would have preferred JT
I have a feeling this is all up to Justin.
Drury would have been better money spent on than of JD or JT. Younger, more versatile and better defense, and a more consistent contact hitter with occasional power. Von Scoyoc philosophy of hitting is pull to launch with strikeouts…. not effective hitting for shift ban with holes in the infield and wide open gaps.
A good move! YEARS overdue!!! JD is a SOLID slugger!!!!!
“happy to have you hear”? I didn’t know he is also an auditory specialist:)
I don’t like the move. Martinez is an ever so slight upgrade to JT offensively but useless on defense which limits the use of the DH role. Furthermore, JT’s value in the club house and community is miles beyond Martinez. If they resign JT I’ll change my opinion but I fear they’ll force JT to walk. Nope don’t like it at all.
I’d much rather have had JT. Same hitting but JT can still play the field. This move sucks.
I think it’s a great signing and does not exclude Turner from coming back.
Nice move!!
Excellent signing, less money than JT and just as clutch, probably more clutch. First signing that will help this team. Martinez is like Pujols, will always hit the ball….
Not significant. Dodgers remain weak up tne middle – 2B, SS, and CF much weaker than last year. Without the shift in 2023 this weakness will be exposed.