Fastball

World Series Champion J.D. Martinez Reportedly Staying Ready, Waiting For a Job

The former Boston Red Sox champion and Los Angeles Dodgers star spent 2024 with the New York Mets but remains a free agent.
Brady Farkas|
New York Mets designated hitter J.D. Martinez (28) hits a two-run RBI single off of Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Aaron Ashby during the fifth inning of their wild-card playoff game at American Family Field.
New York Mets designated hitter J.D. Martinez (28) hits a two-run RBI single off of Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Aaron Ashby during the fifth inning of their wild-card playoff game at American Family Field. | Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel/USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images

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Boston Red SoxSeattle MarinersNew York Mets

According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, free agent slugger J.D. Martinez is staying ready and waiting for his name to be called.

JD Martinez is hitting and staying ready while waiting for a job. No good reason he doesn’t have one yet.

It's ironic that Heyman mentions Martinez today, because on Wednesday, the MLB Network crew advocated for him to sign with the Seattle Mariners, who are dealing with injury issues and are in need of offense.

A 14-year veteran of the Houston Astros, Detroit Tigers, Arizona Diamondbacks, Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets, Martinez has been one of the most productive players in baseball over the last several years.

A three-time Silver Slugger winner, he owns a .283 lifetime average. He's popped 331 homers and driven in 1,071 runs. He has five seasons with 30 homers or more, including two of 40 or more. He also led baseball in RBIs (130) back in 2018. Martinez has five seasons of more than 100 RBI and is a six-time All-Star. He helped the Red Sox win the 2018 World Series.

He had 33 homers for the Dodgers just two seasons ago and then signed a one-year deal with the Mets before the 2024 season, hitting .235 with 16 homers and 69 RBI. He helped the Mets get to the National League Championship Series and is universally regarded as a good clubhouse presence.

Martinez isn't the only surprising veteran without a job, as Anthony Rizzo and David Robertson are also waiting for the call.

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Brady Farkas
BRADY FARKAS

Brady Farkas is a baseball writer for Fastball on Sports Illustrated/FanNation and the host of 'The Payoff Pitch' podcast which can be found on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Videos on baseball also posted to YouTube. Brady has spent nearly a decade in sports talk radio and is a graduate of Oswego State University. You can follow him on Twitter @WDEVRadioBrady. 

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