Top 3 Free Agent Destinations For JD Martinez

After one extremely successful comeback campaign with the Los Angeles Dodgers, JD Martinez is taking his DH bat back onto the free agent market. The Dodgers decided not to extend the $20.325M qualifying offer to Martinez, despite his 33 HR, 103 RBI season.

As noted by Insider Jon Heyman, LA's decision was likely largely due to the fact that they hope to invest about half a billion dollars in another DH you might have heard of—Shohei Ohtani.  

Ohtani’s status as a free agent at least factored into the Dodgers’ decision not to extend to JD Martinez the $20.325M qualifying offer. LA is interested in bringing back the NL All-Star DH but must first try to see what their Ohtani chances are.

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) November 7, 2023

So if not the Dodgers, where might the 36-year-old slugger wind up in free agency? Here are 3 top potential landing spots.  

New York Mets

The Mets could use another power bat in the lineup, and Martinez would certainly fit the bill. While they had the likes of rookie Mark Vientos and Daniel Vogelbach clogging up the DH spot this season and hitting in the low .200s with minimal power output, the former Boston Red Sox slugger has six All-Star seasons under his belt, and five 30+ HR years. 

Seattle Mariners

With a pitching rotation that's one of the best in the majors, there's no doubt where the M's will be spending their money this winter. As noted in the Seattle Times, "It's not complicated: They need hitters that can produce."

The Mariners will let Teoscar Hernandez go in free agency, and will be focusing their attention on a much more productive bat. If they miss out on Ohtani, Martinez would be a top fallback for them.

Los Angeles Angels

The Angels are quite likely losing their DH — the very same Ohtani — this winter, and so will be looking to replace that massive production. Martinez will be about as close as they'll be able to get. 

Photo: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports