Mets, J.D. Martinez agree to 1-year deal reportedly worth $12M
The New York Mets agreed to a one-year contract with designated hitter J.D. Martinez, the club announced Saturday.
Martinez will earn $12 million in 2024, reports the New York Post's Jon Heyman.
The deal, which is still pending a physical, pays Martinez $4.5 million this season and $1.5 million in deferred money per year from 2034 to 2038, a source told SNY's Andy Martino. The pact's structure reduces the Mets' luxury tax for the upcoming campaign.
Once the deferrals are factored, the Mets' luxury tax hit on the Martinez contract is about $9 million, according to sources.
— Mike Puma (@NYPost_Mets) March 22, 2024
Martinez will begin the season in the minors because he doesn't have enough time to get ready for Opening Day on March 28, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post.
The veteran slugger gives New York another run producer in the heart of its lineup, joining Pete Alonso and Francisco Lindor. The Mets finished 19th in RBIs and 20th in runs scored last season.
Mets' projected 2024 lineup
| ORDER | POSITION | PLAYER | HITS |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | LF | Brandon Nimmo | L |
| 2 | SS | Francisco Lindor | S |
| 3 | 1B | Pete Alonso | R |
| 4 | DH | J.D. Martinez | R |
| 5 | RF | Starling Marte | R |
| 6 | 2B | Jeff McNeil | L |
| 7 | C | Francisco Alvarez | R |
| 8 | 3B | Brett Baty | L |
| 9 | CF | Harrison Bader | R |
Martinez made his sixth career All-Star Game appearance in 2023, posting a .271/.321/.572 slash line with 33 home runs and 103 RBIs in 113 games for the Los Angeles Dodgers. The veteran's .893 OPS last season was his highest since 2019 and ranked eighth among NL hitters with at least 450 plate appearances, according to FanGraphs.
Despite his 2023 production, the 36-year-old struggled to find a multi-year deal. Martinez reportedly turned down a one-year, $14-million offer from the San Francisco Giants because he sought at least a two-year pact. He also apparently rejected an offer from the Los Angeles Angels.
The Mets have stayed busy this winter under new president of baseball operations David Stearns, who has focused on acquiring depth while avoiding lucrative long-term agreements. New York's two-year, $28-million contract with pitcher Sean Manaea is its highest expenditure this offseason.
The club is looking to improve after finishing fourth in the NL East with a 75-87 record last season despite entering the campaign with the league's highest payroll.