4-star J.D. Martinez commits to Detroit Tigers Declines New York Mets Offer….
The Detroit Tigers were the surprise team of 2024 in baseball as they made a miraculous run to a record of 86-76 and a 3-2 loss in the American League Division Series to divisional rivals Cleveland Guardians.
The Tigers had 7 consecutive losing seasons leading up to 2024 and expectations of a playoff appearance were not there in the preseason.
The Tigers hope to build on their 2024 success with their unanimous AL Cy Young Winner Tarik Skubal and return to the postseason in 2025 and that starts by improving their Designated Hitter position by signing long time veteran J.D. Martinez.
J.D. Martinez just completed his 14th season and the big leagues and is proving he is still a viable bat in the starting line up. Turning 37 years old last August Martinez produced a 0.5 Wins Above Replacement better than the 2024 Detroit Tigers production at the same position of a negative 0.4.
Martinez raked in 16 home runs in 2024 and just a year before in 2023 was able to smash 33 homers for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
There is a high chance that dip to 16 was just an off year for Martinez as he produced 16 home runs also in 2022, the season before he knocked in 33.
It’s safe to say at 37 and playing the Designated Hitter position that Martinez still has some juice in him for a few more years, especially as players are more likely to play into their 40s.
