JD Martinez Finds New Home On The West Coast

JD Martinez has joined a famous former teammate of his from Boston, in taking a one-year, $10M deal to sign on with the Los Angeles Dodgers. 

Mookie Betts and J.D. Martinez are teammates once again.

This time with the @Dodgers.@mookiebetts | @JDMartinez28 pic.twitter.com/mf0GLCVu1Y

— The Athletic MLB (@TheAthleticMLB) December 18, 2022

Martinez, now 35, is a five-time All-Star with a career .288 average and .872 OPS, having spent his last five seasons with the Boston Red Sox. He hooks back up with Mookie Betts at Chavez Ravine. 

His 2022 saw a dropoff in production for the DH, as he hit just 16 HR, his lowest total in a full season in nine years, and the same goes for his OPS, which fell below .800 (.790) for the first time since 2013. 

But the Dodgers are confident he can still produce, and have been looking to fill some holes in their roster, with the departures of Trea Turner and now likely Justin Turner, who remains on the free agent market. 

Cuban prospect Miguel Vargas, the Dodgers' No. 3 prospect, is likely to take over at third base, and with Martinez now occupying the DH slot most nights, this signing likely ends Justin Turner's tenure in LA.

Photo: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports