By signing J.D. Martinez, the Los Angeles Dodgers are adding power and leadership but the deal may not leave room for Justin Turner.
From the moment that baseball free agency opened, the Los Angeles Dodgers targeted free-agent designated hitter J.D. Martinez. And on Saturday night, Martinez and the Dodgers agreed to a one-year, $10 million contract, according to sources familiar with the deal.
Martinez, 35, has been on the Dodgers‘ radar since the 2022 trade deadline. They envision him adding additional power to their lineup and providing leadership in the clubhouse, especially with Justin Turner still a free agent and Trea Turner signing with the Philadelphia Phillies.
They believe that pairing him with hitting coach Robert Van Scoyoc, who Martinez credits for his career rejuvenation in 2013, can provide an immediate impact.
The Dodgers added J.D. Martinez for power and leadership
Even then, Martinez was a useful player for the Red Sox in 2022. In 139 games, he hit .274/.341/.448 with 16 home runs, 62 RBI and a .790 OPS. In his last three 162-game regular seasons, Martinez has hit 28, 36 and 43 home runs. So there certainly is upside that comes at virtually no risk at only $10 million.
What does this mean for Justin Turner? As Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported, the Dodgers remain in play for Turner — it’s unclear just how likely such a scenario would be — especially with the Boston Red Sox, Arizona Diamondbacks and Miami Marlins also on the 38-year-old third baseman.
But the Dodgers are active in other parts of the free-agent market, emerging as one of the finalists for free-agent pitcher Seth Lugo, according to sources. The Dodgers would look to convert Lugo from a reliever to a starting pitcher in such a scenario.