Dodgers' NL West Rival Could Poach JD Martinez This Offseason
While the Dodgers wait for free agent Shohei Ohtani to decide who he will play for next season, they must also reshape their 40-man roster around the DH position. If Ohtani signs with the Dodgers, they have their designated hitter for next season and for the foreseeable future.
But if he chooses to go somewhere else, they must pivot to Plan B. This includes the possibility of re-signing slugger JD Martinez.
Martinez is seen as a backup option for the Dodgers if they strike out on Ohtani, but the longer the two-way superstar waits, the more the Dodgers risk losing both Ohtani and Martinez.
At least one NL West rival has an interest in bringing Martinez in. ESPN's Buster Olney is reporting the Arizona Diamondbacks are looking at Martinez to provide veteran leadership and a solid bat to their lineup next season.
Martinez was extremely productive when healthy last season, hitting .271 with 33 home runs and 103 runs batted in over 113 games. Losing him may hurt regardless, but losing him within the division would sting.
It would be a reunion for Martinez with the Diamondbacks, who acquired him late in the 2017 season and benefitted greatly from his 29 home runs in a mere 62 games down the stretch. He hit five home runs against the Dodgers in nine games that year, and could go back to torturing the Dodgers if he signs elsewhere.
Martinez was one of the biggest contributors in the Dodgers' record-setting offense a season ago, so replacing him won’t be easy. Ohtani would be the exception, and the Dodgers owe it to themselves (to say nothing of Ohtani and his fans) to wait on that decision before making a move on another DH.
