The New York Mets have experienced a successful season largely due to some strategic free agent signings. Key contributors like Sean Manaea and Luis Severino have bounced back impressively from their winter acquisitions, positioning the team strongly for the final National League Wild Card spot as the season nears its end.
However, the $12 million contract given to veteran slugger J.D. Martinez has not been as fruitful. Martinez is hitting just .241/.323/.418 with 16 home runs this season, a significant drop from his career averages of .284/.348/.517 and 33 homers last year. According to Tim Boyle of FanSided’s Rising Apple, this decline may prompt Martinez to consider retiring.
Boyle suggests, “Martinez might consider returning to the Mets, though the team might prefer to keep the DH position open for players to get some rest. At 37 years old and now a father, Martinez might choose to spend more time with his newborn daughter rather than pursue another season of baseball.”
Martinez, who was signed by the Mets in late March and didn’t join the team until late April, has struggled to replicate the performance that earned him six All-Star selections and three Silver Slugger Awards during his 14-year career.
As he approaches free agency once again, his injuries this season could influence his decision to retire. If he can’t regain his power-hitting form, finding a major-league team for the next season might prove challenging.
“Martinez is still a capable run producer, but his power is noticeably diminishing,” Boyle noted. “His slugging percentage will end up over 100 points lower than last season, and he’s hitting more singles than his role would typically demand.”
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