3 weeks agoAccording to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, free-agent designated hitter
J.D. Martinez could be a potential fit for the New York Yankees. With
Giancarlo Stanton (elbow) sidelined and not participating in any baseball activities, they could sign Martinez as their temporary designated hitter. Martinez has been deployed exclusively as a DH for the past three seasons, which is not expected to change if he goes to the Bronx. Last season, the 37-year-old spent the entire campaign with the New York Mets, where he held a .235/.320/.406 slash line with 16 long balls. However, under the hood, he generated a strong .472 xSLG and a .351 xwOBA, which are both well above the average marks. During the 2023 season, he held a strong .271/.321/.572 line. If he were to sign with the Yankees, he would be the everyday designated hitter until Stanton returns. If the Yankees opt to cover that spot with players on their roster,
Aaron Judge would likely be given several opportunities to serve as the DH to keep him off his feet. This would also open the door for
Ben Rice to see consistent playing time as well.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Jon Heyman
5 months agoNew York Mets outfielder
Harrison Bader and designated hitter
J.D. Martinez are both starting against the Los Angeles Dodgers and right-hander
Yoshinobu Yamamoto in Game 4 of the National League Championship Series on Thursday at Citi Field.
Tyrone Taylor and
Jesse Winker will retreat to the bench. Taylor has struggled in the postseason, going 4-for-29 with an RBI, so the Mets will give Bader a shot. Bader is a perfect 3-for-3 with a double and an RBI this year against Yamamoto, although he has just one hit in seven at-bats with a strikeout and three runs scored in 10 games (one start) for the Mets in October. Martinez made his first start of the NLCS on Wednesday night and went 0-for-2 with two walks and two strikeouts. He has never faced Yamamoto and has gone 4-for-16 (.250) with three RBI, four walks and a run scored in seven games (four starts) this October.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: New York Mets
5 months agoNew York Mets designated hitter
J.D. Martinez will take over DH duties and will hit sixth in Game 3 of the National League Championship Series on Wednesday versus the Los Angeles Dodgers and right-hander
Walker Buehler at Citi Field. The left-handed-hitting
Jesse Winker got the nod at DH for the Mets in the first two games of the series and went 2-for-6 with two walks and a run scored. In six postseason games this year (three starts), Martinez has gone 4-for-14 with three RBI, two walks and a run scored. Martinez has only faced Buehler three times in his career and has struck out two of those times. The 37-year-old six-time All-Star hit a career-low .235 (102-for-434) in 120 games for the Mets during the regular season with a modest 16 home runs and 69 RBI.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
5 months agoNew York Mets designated hitter
J.D. Martinez is likely to be in the starting lineup for Game 3 of the National League Championship Series on Wednesday at Citi Field against the Los Angeles Dodgers and right-hander
Walker Buehler, according to manager
Carlos Mendoza. In the first two games of the NLCS, the left-handed-hitting
Jesse Winker has gotten the nod for the Mets at DH, but Martinez will make his first start of the series on Wednesday after going 4-for-14 (.286) with three RBI, two walks and a run scored in six games (three starts) in this year's postseason. The 37-year-old has faced Buehler just three times before in his career and has struck out twice. The six-time All-Star hit just .235 (102-for-434) in 120 games for the Mets during the regular season but did provide 16 homers and 69 RBI.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: USA TODAY Sports - Bob Nightengale
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