The San Diego Padres have gotten off to a good start this season, winning nine of their first 12 games as of April 9, and currently hold the best record in MLB. But this is a team that still has a top-heavy lineup and could use more depth, especially with Jackson Merrill (hamstring) on the injured list and Fernando Tatis Jr. day-to-day with a shoulder issue.
The Padres are currently giving at-bats to outfielders Gavin Sheets, Jason Heyward, and Brandon Lockridge. It’s clear they could use a veteran hitter with a proven track record, and luckily, there’s a six-time All-Star still available in free agency: J.D. Martinez.
Padres Linked With J.D. Martinez
The former Boston Red Sox designated hitter could be a great fit in San Diego. In a recent article from Bleacher Report, writer Kerry Miller speculated that Martinez would be a fit with the Padres.
Miller noted the 37-year-old could still make an impact, especially after putting up a .806 OPS in the first half with the New York Mets last year. However, teams might be hesitant to sign Martinez because he’s a full-time DH at an advanced age and is coming off a poor second half (.593 OPS in August and September).
It’s also worth noting that Martinez would likely have to take over as the Padres’ designated hitter, a spot currently held by Sheets, who is off to a hot start, with a batting average of .333, a .355 on-base percentage, and slugging at .500 through 11 games.
At the same time, Sheets is a left-handed batter who owns a career .165 batting average against lefties. Thus, Martinez might make sense as a platoon partner. The right-handed veteran has a career .301 average against southpaws.
If Martinez is willing to accept a cheap deal as a platoon option, he could be a smart addition. This is a team that could use another reliable bat off the bench.
We’ve already seen the Padres dip into the veteran pool recently, signing 41-year-old Yuli Gurriel. If they’re willing to give Gurriel a shot, it makes sense to take a look at Martinez as well.
Martinez is clearly past his prime, but we have to remember that he is a player with a strong track record. After all, he is just one year removed from hitting 33 home runs with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2023.
Martinez still has the potential to help a contending team, so don’t be surprised if he lands with one soon.