Why Mariners should be looking at free agent DH J.D. Martinez

On Tuesday night, the Seattle Mariners’ roster put them in a tough situation.

Mariners make roster move that may signal rare rotation change

Trailing the Houston Astros by a run in the bottom of the 12th inning, the Mariners needed a pinch-hitter for lefty-swinging Dominic Canzone against left-handed Astros reliever Steven Okert. Except with switch-hitter Jorge Polanco apparently unable to swing from the right side due to an oblique issue, the only option on the Seattle bench was another left-handed hitter, Miles Mastrobuoni.

He grounded out, the next two hitters struck out, and the M’s lost the game 2-1.

At that time, the Mariners really could have used a right-handed bat to enter the game. And that’s something that’s even more important now with second baseman Ryan Bliss joining right fielder Victor Robles as righty hitters to go on the shelf this week with long-term injuries.

The Mariners have a couple players at Triple-A Tacoma with a little big league experience who swing from the right side that they could bring up: first baseman Tyler Locklear and utility player Samad Taylor. But there’s also a veteran hitter still available in free agency that seems worth giving a call now. And that wasn’t lost on MLB Network’s Greg Amsinger and Harold Reynolds.

“J.D. Martinez is sitting on the couch right now. J.D. Martinez is watching this show right now,” Amsinger said Wednesday on MLB Tonight while he and Reynolds watched some of the Mariners’ series finale against the Astros. “J.D. Martinez two years ago hit over 30 home runs and drove in over 100 (runs) for the Dodgers. You need someone to help out J-Rod (Julio Rodríguez) and Cal Raleigh in the middle of that order.”

Reynolds, who won three Gold Gloves and was twice an All-Star second baseman during a 10-year tenure with the Mariners, was on board.

“Man, what a great name. J.D. Martinez would be perfect,” Reynolds responded. “And he’s not going to cost you what he would have cost you in the winter, or even last year.”

"Right now as a team, they're hitting .199…"

Greg and Harold think free agent J. D. Martinez could bring a big boost to the Mariners' lineup. pic.twitter.com/Sbclk8KhCu

— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) April 9, 2025

At the time the two were talking, the Mariners had not yet mounted a comeback from a five-run deficit led by Randy Arozarena and Rodríguez to earn their first series win of 2025. They were also hitting .199 as a team on the season – they’re now up to .200, which is still only better than one other team in MLB (Pittsburgh is last at .198).

“Harold, right now as a team they’re hitting .199. You don’t think J.D. Martinez would impact the club?” Amsinger said.

“He’s not gonna hit (as low as) .199, I know that,” Reynolds said of Martinez.

A look at J.D. Martinez

The 37-year-old Martinez has a great track record with a career .283/.348/.516 slash line for a .863 OPS with 331 home runs in 14 big league seasons with the Astros, Tigers, Diamondbacks, Red Sox, Dodgers and Mets. And while his 2024 campaign with New York wasn’t his best, his .235/.320/.406 slash for a .725 OPS with 16 homers in 120 games would have been plenty welcome on last year’s M’s squad – or this year’s, for that matter.

As Amsinger mentioned, the six-time All-Star isn’t far removed from one of his best seasons. In 2023, he hit 33 homers with 103 RBIs in 113 games for the Dodgers, slashing .271/.321/.572 (.893 OPS) along the way. He also has a reputation as a professional hitter who has no problem going to the opposite field or working a walk.

The 6-foot-3, 230-pound Martinez was never that fleet of foot or a great defender in the outfield, and he hasn’t appeared in double-digit games in the field since 2021. But even just as a designated hitter and option off the bench, Seattle should be interested. That being said, the Mariners aren’t the only team that has come up lately as a potential fit for him, as the Padres and Twins are also on the list.

The Mariners (5-8) have the day off Thursday, then will open a three-game weekend series at T-Mobile at 6:40 p.m. Friday against the AL West-leading Texas Rangers (9-4). Radio coverage on Seattle Sports will start at 5:30 p.m. with the pregame show.

Seattle Mariners news and analysis

• ‘He’s so electric’: Arozarena brings spark to Mariners
• How Julio Rodríguez impressed in the clutch in stunning M’s comeback
• Salk: Will first series win set Mariners off in right direction?
• Three things stand out from the Mariners’ start
• Why Passan says concerning Seattle Mariners stat should improve

Related

Red Sox come back to beat Mariners 9-8 in 10 inningsRed Sox put star Contreras on IL, push ace Gray out of Mariners seriesMariners’ Cal Raleigh wins AL Player of the Week after 5-HR barrageMariners Roster Move: Key reliever back from long IL stintLineups: Mariners start series at Fenway vs Red SoxMariners-Red Sox Series Preview: M’s look for rare feat in Boston