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JD Martinez makes important decision for 2025 after disappointing end to Mets run
Washington

JD Martinez makes important decision for 2025 after disappointing end to Mets run

LOS ANGELES — In an emotional postgame clubhouse teeming with free agents making decisions, JD Martinez has at least made his first decision.

The 37-year-old soon-to-be free agent wants to continue playing baseball.

However, a decision has yet to be made as to whether he will continue playing baseball.

JD Martinez was not in the starting lineup on Sunday. Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

“If it happens, it happens. If not, move on,” Martinez said of his presence on the 2025 roster, which will depend on teams’ interest in the designated hitter, who is invaluable in a clubhouse and has a track record as a hitter but that has waned Season.

Martinez spoke after the Mets’ 10-5 loss in NLCS Game 6 at Dodger Stadium that sent the Mets home.

In Martinez’s case, that means he will return to Miami and see his newborn daughter, who he hasn’t held since she was born. Martinez was there for the birth in early September and then rejoined the team in the final stretch of the season, when every game and every win was needed.

He will go to his family, be a dad for a while and then start training, although he is “100 percent” confident that he would play if the offer for next season is right.

“It felt great this year,” Martinez said. “I felt like I was on a losing streak, but I think my expected numbers were good.”

The 14-year pro is a six-time All-Star and a hitting expert who was hired by the Mets as a slugger on a one-year contract.

JD Martinez faded as the year went on. Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post

He had a solid performance in the first half, posting an .806 OPS with 10 home runs in 66 games, but struggled in the final months of the season and into the postseason, losing time to Jesse Winker.

A reunion with the Mets seems unlikely, but Martinez is open to it.

“These guys are great. I had a great time here,” said Martinez, who finished with a .725 OPS. “How could you not want to come back after the year we had?”


Follow the Post’s coverage of the Mets’ playoff run:


Martinez and Jesse Winker are both future free agents. Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post

Martinez expressed optimism about the team’s future. He will be one of many free agents from the Mets, including Pete Alonso, Sean Manaea, Luis Severino, Jose Quintana and Jose Iglesias.

Martinez watched the team start 0-5, joined the club late and saw a decline to 11 games under .500 in early June. He was part of the uprising that helped the Mets upset their way into Game 6 of the NLCS.

He said the club has a “good core” and he wouldn’t be surprised if the Mets were among the finals teams next year. But the longtime major leaguer believes the 2024 Mets were special.

“I’ve been on a lot of teams and been to the playoffs a few times,” Martinez said. “It’s something I’ll always remember just because of the group I did it with.”

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