Mets slugger J.D. Martinez gets real about the San Francisco Giants
There were plenty of questions surrounding J.D. Martinez and the San Francisco Giants this offseason.
Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported near the end of February that Martinez rejected the Giants' offer because he "didn't want to go there." Bob Nightengale from USA Today then reported that was not the case at all. Rather, Nighengale heard that that Martinez had rejected the Giants' $14 million offer because he wanted a second year. Martinez was the only person who knew the truth.
Those questions got louder after Martinez signed with the Mets on Friday. Andy Martino from SNY reported that Martinez signed a one year contract worth $4 million, with another $1.5 million per year deferred from 2034 through 2038. Martinez was taking a significantly lower salary to sign in New York.
He answered those questions on Saturday. Anthony DiComo from MLB.com quoted Martinez as saying the reason why he turned the Giants down had to do with the ballpark. He noted that Oracle Park is a difficult stadium to hit in, especially the other way. As Martinez is advancing in age, how the ballpark plays is more of a concern.
Martinez did have a solid showing in 2023, posting a .271/.321/.572 batting line in his 479 plate appearances, hitting 33 homers and 27 doubles. However, there were some reasons for concern. His 31.1% strikeout rate was the highest of his career while his walk rate continued to decrease. At 36 years old, Martinez is starting to see the finish line.
That makes his concerns about the ballpark all the more valid. Martinez made it sound as though he wants to continue to play. To do so, he must show that he can still be a difference-maker with the bat. That involves finding a place where he can perform at his accustomed level - and that was not going to be in San Francisco.
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