J.D. Martinez Joins Mets Front Office

0:00It's March 31st. Welcome in. This is MLB News today, where baseball meets AI. The New York Mets are bringing back JD Martinez, but this time he's stepping into a front-office gig as a special advisor to baseball operations. It's a role just like Carlos Beltran's, where he'll hang around the clubhouse and the field with the players. Martinez last suited up in the majors back in 2024, with the Mets on a one-year $12 million deal as their main designated, hitter. Earlier this week, Tim Healey from the Boston Globe broke the news, and it fits right after Martinez wrapped up that loan season in Queens. He started slow in AAA Syracuse, nursing a back issue, got called up on April 26th and played 120 games with a slash line, of 235, over 320, over 406, 16 homers, and 69 RBI's. There were peaks like his first career walkoff blast, but he cooled off late, especially after they grabbed Jesse Winker for full-time DH duties.

1:01Fans and folks in the game see this as a smart move for the Mets, tapping Martinez's veteran smarts at 38 years old. His career spans 14 seasons across six teams, packing 331 homers, 171 RBI's, and an 864. OPS. He's a six-time all-star, three times over slugger, Hank Aaron Award winner, and even snagged a World Series ring with the Red Sox in 2018. Now pairing him with Beltran, who's headed to the Hall of Fame and getting his number retired this year, gives the Mets a powerhouse advisory duo. No official retirement yet, but this shift Keith Martinez in the fold, sharing that proven hitting wisdom. Word is this could shape how the team builds for the long haul, blending old school grind with fresh energy right from the top.