Former Dodgers DH Provides Real Reason for Not Signing With Giants

The Los Angeles Dodgers had one heck of an offseason, reshaping their roster from top to bottom to the tune of $1.2 billion in future contract commitments. While the Dodgers added terrific talent from top to bottom, they also lost some key pieces from the 2023 season.

One key player they lost this past offseason was All-Star slugger J.D. Martinez. Martinez signed a one-year deal prior to the 2023 season. With the addition of Shohei Ohtani, who is limited to DH duties in 2024, that all but ended Marintez’s time in Los Angeles.

It took the 36-year-old some time to find a new squad, but he finally landed in the Big Apple.

Martinez had many teams on his tail but ultimately landed with the Mets only a week before Opening Day. One of the teams that pursued him and even offered more money than the Mets was the rival San Francisco Giants.

However, Martinez felt like his skills wouldn’t translate to Oracle Park. The six-time All-star explained why he turned down a more lucrative offer from the Giants last month.

MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo shared the explanation, via his Twitter/X account:

Martinez signed a one-year, $12 million deal with the Mets and turned down a roughly $15 million offer from San Francisco. Initial reports suggested Martinez rejected the Giants’ offer because he simply didn’t want to go there. The Giants signed Jorge Soler to fill their DH role instead.

Martinez didn’t necessarily say he didn’t want to go to San Francisco, but at the same time, he didn’t want to play in the Giants’ home ballpark. According to Statcast’s three-year park factors, Oracle Park is the fourth-worst park for right-handed home runs. Citi Field isn’t any better, ranked 21st, but it’s still slightly better than where the Giants calls home.

Marinez will now return to the East Coast and try to replicate his 2023 season with his new team.

Photo Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports

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