Multiple reports refute claim that J.D. Martinez had no interest in SF Giants
The contradictory details of the recent contract negotiations between the SF Giants and J.D. Martinez slowly continue to leak out. While the Giants ultimately inked designated hitter Jorge Soler to a three-year, $42 million deal instead of the former Dodgers right-handed slugger, a recent report by Jon Heyman that Martinez "didn't want to go" to the Giants sparked some counter reports that undermined that claim.
John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports
"Before the Giants signed Jorge Soler, they made an offer to J.D. Martinez," Heyman wrote. "Word is the ex-Dodger didn’t want to go there. The Rangers are a potential fit for Martinez."
However, new reports have undermind Heyman's claim.
According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, Martinez rejected the Giants’ one-year, $14 million offer in search of a guaranteed second year from another organization. MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand confirmed the offer, but also added that Martinez had his sights set on $20 million. Though he might have considered a slightly lower figure, he turned down the Giants' proposal, according to Feinsand.
Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area also noted that Martinez submitted a counteroffer that organizational front office members within the Giants’ system “weren’t comfortable with.”
Earlier in the offseason, many insiders believed the Giants were a "strong fit" for Martinez. Despite his age, he showed no signs of slowing down this past season with the Dodgers. He missed a few weeks with a groin and heel issue during the season but still finished with 33 home runs and a .271/.321/.572 line in 113 games. More advanced numbers backed up his excellent production as well. Martinez's batted-ball data ranked in the 90th percentile or better in several key stats, like hard-hit rate, xSLG, and xwOBA.
His 2023 production was far from a surprise. Over the past three seasons, Martinez has maintained a .847 OPS, which is slightly down from his career .287/.350/.524 triple-slash. Nevertheless, he was unable to reach a deal with the SF Giants, so they shifted their attention to Soler, who is now slated to be a staple in the team's lineup for the next three seasons.
