MLB Buzz: The ‘Perfect Spot’ in NL Revealed for Ex-Red Sox

Following a postseason disappointment with the Los Angeles Dodgers, the experienced designated hitter J.D. Martinez is now available as a free agent, attracting interest from several teams in search of a powerful bat for their lineups.

At the age of 36 and at the conclusion of his 13-year career in the big leagues, Martinez remains a valuable asset, recently achieving a .271/.321/.572 batting line with 33 home runs in a noteworthy 113-game All-Star campaign with the Dodgers. Despite his impressive performance, the Dodgers, having committed significant funds to signings like Shoehei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, no longer require Martinez’s designated hitting services, making him available in the free-agent market.

The question arises: where should Martinez consider playing next? Former MLB general manager Dan Duquette suggests that the ideal destination would be the defending National League champions, the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Duquette expressed his opinion on MLB Network Radio, stating, “I think it’s a perfect fit. They know him. Obviously, the front office has had him before, Mike Hazen, that group, Torey (Lovullo) had him as well. To me, that’s the best fit if they’re willing to give him two years there.”

He further emphasized, “I think that’s a really good position for him.”

Martinez has history with Arizona, having played 62 games with the Diamondbacks in the 2017 season, just before signing with the Boston Red Sox in the subsequent offseason.

Analyzing Arizona’s offensive performance, the team did not rank among the top in Major League Baseball last season. They stood 22nd in home runs (166), 17th in slugging percentage (.408), and 15th in doubles (274). Given these statistics, Martinez appears to be a suitable addition to bolster their offensive capabilities for various reasons.