Mets Could Target Ex-Dodgers Star Thanks To Los Angeles Landing Shohei Ohtani
The New York Mets need to improve the designated hitter position and there are some interesting players available to help.
The free agent market has been extremely slow so far this offseason. Former Los Angeles Angels two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani entered the offseason as the best player available and so the market has been dictated by him to this point.
Ohtani has made his decision and reportedly will be joining the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2024. Now that the Dodgers have Ohtani, their designated hitter spot is full meaning that former Los Angeles slugger J.D. Martinez will need to find a new home.
Martinez is available in free agency and there were rumblings that he could return to the Dodgers if they missed out on Ohtani. Now that they did in fact land the two-way star, the Mets reportedly could be in the mix to land Martinez, according to the New York Post's Jon Heyman.
"J.D. Martinez, who batted cleanup as a Dodger in the 2023 All-Star Game, will now have to find a new team," Heyman said. "Angels are an obvious possibility. Among many others: (Seattle Mariners), Mets, (Arizona Diamondbacks)."
Martinez has been mentioned as a possible fit for the Mets on multiple occasions at this point in the offseason and now a move makes even more sense. New York needs some help in the middle of the lineup and Martinez was stellar last season. He finished the season with 33 home runs, 103 RBIs, and a .271/.321/.572 slash line.
He is 36 years old and likely wouldn't be a long-term option for the Mets, but he would be an upgrade over slugger Daniel Vogelbach. It wouldn't be too surprising to see a move happen this offseason.
