3 former NY Mets players near the end of their careers getting no free agency buzz

There doesn't seem to be much interest in these three.

Washington Nationals v New York Mets
Washington Nationals v New York Mets | Rich Schultz/GettyImages
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3) J.D. Martinez

Much closer to the Mets experience is J.D. Martinez. Believe it or not, last year started off so well for the 37-year-old DH. Even after a delayed start to his year, Martinez was hitting consistently enough for the team. His role in helping to turn the season around cannot be understated. The Mets needed an adult in the room. Who better than a slugger in his 14th MLB season?

Things just didn’t go so well for Martinez by the time the season wrapped up. In more plate appearances than he had the year prior, Martinez hit 17 fewer home runs and had 34 less runs batted in. His batting average dropped 36 points. His 106 OPS+ was the worst of his career since becoming a full-time player outside of the shortened 2020 season.

Buzz around Martinez was minimal last offseason coming off of a 33 home run, 103 RBI season with the Los Angeles Dodgers. How quiet is it going to be after such a weak finish with the Mets? He hit .199/.282/.340 in the second half with only 6 home runs. Every team would be wiser to use the DH spot in a different way.

Martinez’s best chance of playing again in 2025 is for a major injury to happen shortly before Opening Day. Even then, his inability to play defense might be a turnoff.

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