“I don’t like the rebuilding team”, the Dodgers chose the Dodgers to lower the free agent’s ransom, and Boras also respected the 282 home run giant
“I didn’t want to go to the rebuilding team.”
One of the few reinforcements of the Los Angeles Dodgers this winter is the recruitment of giant player JD Martinez (36). In mid-December last year, he signed a free agent contract for one year and $10 million. He could have been looking for a better contract, but Martinez’s mind was already on the Dodgers.
‘Super agent’ Scott Boras also respected Martinez’s intentions without wasting time. “He wanted to win, and he felt the Dodgers were the best team to achieve that goal,” said Boras, who claimed that Martinez was paid $6-7 million less than market value.
Martinez also admitted this fact
through an interview with the ‘LA Times’ on the 10th (Korean time). “In my career, this is the time to win,” said Martinez. I didn’t want to go to a rebuilding team. I didn’t want to be on a team that didn’t know where it was going.”
He continued, “I wanted to be on a team that could run in October. That was the most important thing for me.” As I approached the end of my career, this was a great opportunity for another World Series win. This is where I wanted to be,” he stressed.
There are people in the Dodgers who have a close relationship with Martinez. The Dodgers have hitting coach Robert Van Scoyoc, who met as a personal hitting instructor in 2013 and helped him improve his performance. There’s also outfielder Mookie Betts, who was with Boston from 2018-2019. “We are true friends,” Betts said. He welcomed Martinez’s joining, saying, “We’re in a much deeper relationship than baseball.”
Martinez, a right-handed outfielder who debuted with the Houston Astros in 2011, went through the Detroit Tigers and Arizona Diamondbacks and wore a Boston uniform in 2018 with a five-year, $110 million free agent contract.
Martinez, who recorded a batting average of .288, 1522 hits, 282 homers, 899 RBIs, and an OPS of .872 in 12 seasons in 1409 games, boasts five All-Star and three Silver Slugger careers. In the first year of moving to Boston in 2018, he also experienced a World Series victory.
Last year, in 139 games, his batting average was 2.74, 16 homers, 62 RBIs, and OPS .790. The Dodgers expect Martinez to fill the vacancy left by Justin Turner, who left for Boston.