J.D. Martinez has been identified as the best hitter left on the free agent market, garnering over 59% support from MLBTR readers. However, concerns over his limited defensive flexibility, as he last played in the outfield in 2021, restrict his marketability. Most teams prefer players who can contribute in multiple positions, leaving Martinez, a 37-year-old with a subpar 2024 season, struggling to find a home in a league that commonly rotates DH roles. His recent performance further complicates his appeal, making it difficult for teams to justify signing him as a pure DH.
Even so, he's lingered on the free agent market into March for the second consecutive offseason. Much of that could simply be about his position—or, rather, lack thereof.
While it's certainly not unheard of for clubs to employ a full-time DH, the overwhelming majority of clubs prefer to either rotate regulars through the DH slot in the lineup as a form of rest or utilize a player with some ability to play elsewhere.
Another concern is Martinez's weak platform season. 2024 was Martinez's worst campaign in years, as he hit just .235/.320/.406 with a 28.5% strikeout rate.
Martinez lacks that sort of flexibility, and it's all but impossible for a club to justify carrying a pure DH without a clear pathway to at least semi-regular at-bats.
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