Mets veteran sounds like he’s ready to retire in postgame interview

Our emotional ride has come to an end. The New York Mets fell to the Los Angeles Dodgers late on Sunday night in yet another NLCS game where they fell behind early and never looked in the same class as the opponent. It’s hard to even be mad at this team. They delivered an unexpectedly brilliant year.

Mets fans fell in love with the team. One player whose presence did begin to wear on us was J.D. Martinez. It wasn’t because of who he is or how badly he performed late in the year. The decision to start him over Jesse Winker who was the clearly superior DH option throughout the NLCS caused fans to boo whenever he made an out at Citi Field.

If anyone understands fans, it’s a 14-year veteran who has represented six different clubs in his career. He didn’t seem to harbor any ill-will toward the Mets or his experience in 2024. The new daddy does, however, sounds accepting of his fate.

Is J.D. Martinez done after the 2024 season with the Mets?

Martinez wasn’t a very popular free agent and based on the way he finished, there won’t be too many others knocking on the door. He did make the better choice to come to the Mets than the San Francisco Giants. Although it did little to boost his numbers, he fed his playoff addiction almost as far as it could go.

Martinez put together a monstrous albeit abbreviated 2023 campaign with the Dodgers featuring 33 home runs and 103 RBI in only 479 plate appearances. In 16 more chances with the Mets, he hit only 16 home runs and drove in 69. The batting average dropped and so did the slugging percentage. Amazingly, his OBP was only one point lower despite a lengthy September slump.

No other team in Mets history had quite this number of players who’ll be one and done. A change in how free agency is attacked, with high salaries over one year preferred than lengthier deals, set the Mets up for multiple players in the same shoes as Martinez.

We shouldn’t remember him for his hitless streak in September, though. Martinez was applauded for how he treated his teammates, in particular a young Mark Vientos. The wisdom he bestowed on that kid translated into a spectacular season.

Pickleball is next for Martinez. What about after? Money isn’t the priority. By the time he gets everything from the Mets, he will have made $153,933,000 in his career. Not too bad for a 20th round draft pick.