FLUSHING, N.Y., – The New York Mets today announced that the team has signed outfielder J.D. Martinez to a one-year contract. In a corresponding move, RHP Phil Bickford has been designated for assignment.
“J.D. is a veteran major league player with a proven track record,” said Mets President of Baseball Operations David Stearns. “His valuable bat will provide protection and extend the lineup. His addition to the club continues our commitment to compete in 2024 and beyond.”
Martinez, 36, owns a career .287/.350/.524 slashline with 851 runs, 366 doubles, 23 triples, 315 home runs, 1,002 RBI and an .874 OPS over the course of 13 major league seasons. He has been named an All-Star six times in his career (2015, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022 and 2023) and earned the Silver Slugger Award three times (2015 and 2018 when he became the first player in the award’s history to win at multiple positions in the same season – outfielder and DH).
The right-handed hitter appeared in 113 games for the Dodgers last year, batting .271 with 61 runs, 27 doubles, two triples, 33 home runs, 103 RBI, with a .321 OBP, a .572 SLG and an .893 OPS.
The Miami native has appeared in 33 Postseason games, batting .294 (35-119) with 15 runs, five doubles, 10 home runs, 31 RBI with a .386 OBP, a .588 SLG and a .974 OPS. He helped the Red Sox capture the 2018 World Series.
Martinez has slashed .298/.375/.550 with a .925 OPS during his career with runners in scoring position.
Since 2018, Martinez ranks second in the majors with 420 RBI among all designated hitters, behind Shohei Ohtani (425 RBI) and is first with 168 doubles.
He was originally selected by the Houston Astros in the 20th round of the 2009 First-Year Player Draft out of Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, FL.
