Dodgers Rumors: Arizona Diamondbacks Interested in Signing J.D. Martinez or Justin Turner This Offseason

Now that the Dodgers have signed free agent two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani to a record-setting deal, they no longer need a designated hitter. Ohtani will fill the role for the Dodgers next season and beyond, leaving a reunion with either J.D. Martinez or Justin Turner unnecessary.

Both players could have been in play if Ohtani signed elsewhere, and will now turn their sights to other teams. It seems one NL West rival has its sights on bringing one in for a reunion.

Bob Nightengale of USA Today is reporting that the Arizona Diamondbacks are hopeful to sign Martinez. Nightengale is also saying that Turner is also in play for Arizona as well.

“The Arizona Diamondbacks are hopeful of signing free-agent DH J.D. Martinez now that the Dodgers no longer need him, with Justin Turner also in play.”

Per Bob Nightengale of USA Today

After reaching the World Series last season before ultimately losing to the Texas Rangers, it made sense for the Diamondbacks to seek to upgrade their roster this off-season. Either of the two former Dodgers would be a big boost.

Martinez already has experience playing in Arizona, and he makes a lot of sense to fill their designated hitter role. He revitalized his career at age 36 with the Dodgers this past season, hitting .271 with 33 home runs and 103 runs batted in over 113 games played.

It was Martinez’s best season since 2019 and it clearly upped his value around the league. His RBI total benefitted from hitting in the Dodgers’ stacked lineup, and it should see him land a multi-year contract this winter.

As for Turner, he showed that he still has some pop left in the tank this season with the Boston Red Sox. In 146 games, Turner hit .276 with 23 home runs and 96 runs batted in.

His leadership could be coveted by the Diamondbacks, but Martinez is the more effective hitter at this stage in their careers. Most Dodgers fans would rather see Martinez back with Arizona rather than see Turner with another NL West team.

Either way, it seems the Diamondbacks will be aggressive in trying to sign one of the former Dodgers. Ohtani’s signing should ease any sense of regret if one of the Dodgers’ former stars goes on to succeed with a rival team.

Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

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