NY Mets hire J.D. Martinez and there’s an obvious candidate who can benefit most

Tim Healey doesn’t cover the New York Mets any longer, but he’ll toss out some nuggets we care about every once in a while. Now primarily covering the Boston Red Sox, he had extra incentive to report on the Mets hiring of J.D. Martinez to become a special adviser. Martinez’s Red Sox and Mets connection made Healey the perfect person to break the news.

It sounds like Martinez will situate himself in what feels like the perfect role. Somewhat similar to what Carlos Beltran brings, he’ll be right there in the locker room as a voice for both on and off-the-field needs.

On the field, nobody can benefit more than the guy sitting in his own doghouse at the moment, Mark Vientos. Already passed over for a start in all four games the Mets have played with just a single pinch hitting appearance, Martinez’s positive influence on Vientos in 2024 is definitely something we’d all love to see infiltrate the locker room in 2026.

J.D. Martinez isn’t a coach, but his influence is something Mark Vientos should feel again

In August of 2024, the Mets were in full pursuit of a playoff spot. Vientos was in the final weeks of his breakout year while Martinez was cooling off. His influence was still being felt. As a veteran right-handed slugger, he was the ideal match in the locker room to pair alongside a guy like Vientos still trying to figure things out.

The NY Post detailed some of their relationship with Martinez being an incredible influence on Vientos throughout the year. Martinez’s advice of visualization was a core concept of their working relationship.

With no veteran slugger to guide him in 2025, Vientos sailed off the map. That’s not to put all of the responsibility on Martinez. His existence in the Mets locker room shouldn’t be what makes or breaks Vientos. He also doesn’t need to step over the Mets hitting coaches’ toes at any point.

However, the one thing missing from much of the Mets coaching staff this year is real big league experience. Martinez brings that at a similar pedigree as Beltran. The fact that he is already familiar with so many of the current Mets players doesn’t hurt either. Popular within the locker room and credited as one of the leaders behind-the-scenes, he’s sure to be a good mediator behind-the-scenes or just an ideal judge, jury, and executioner if anyone steps out of line.

The timing of this hire is strange with the season 4 games old. We’ll take strange if it works. So will Vientos who can’t buy an at-bat right now. He should get his first start on Wednesday when the Mets face St. Louis Cardinals lefty Matthew Liberatore. Book a red eye to St. Louis, J.D.