The New York Mets are bringing former outfielder/DH J.D. Martinez in to be a special adviser to baseball operations. He last played in MLB with the Mets in 2024.
The New York Mets are 3-1 and off to a good start, albeit just four games into the season, and the vibes surrounding this team feel better than the vibes of last season.
Last season, the Mets got off to a hot start and were even the best team in the standings during June. But pretty much once July hit, the team went on a full-blown nosedive and ended up missing the playoffs.
With 158 more games to play, I’m not saying the Mets are playoffs-bound. It’s obviously far too early to predict the rest of New York’s season, but the early returns on the new roster look good despite facing two lower-level National League Central teams like the Pittsburgh Pirates and St. Louis Cardinals.
However, the most recent addition to the Mets organization may just keep those vibes high and help guide the Mets back to the postseason, especially since the Mets played October baseball when he was rostered in 2024.
Six-time All-Star, three-time Silver Slugger and 2018 World Series champion outfielder/designated hitter J.D. Martinez has been hired by the Mets in a multi-faceted role, one similar to Carlos Beltran’s.
“The Mets are hiring J.D. Martinez as a special adviser to baseball operations,” Boston Red Sox beat writer Tim Healey posted to X on Tuesday. “It’ll be a role similar to Carlos Beltran’s, including time with/around the players in the clubhouse, on the field, etc.”
Martinez spent the final season of his 14-year Major League Baseball career with the Mets and was a great clubhouse guy. His impact in one season was so great that the Mets wanted to bring him back in a special adviser role, and New York is hoping he can be a great figure for the players to rely on for information, help and vibes.
Martinez played 120 games for New York and hit 16 home runs, 24 doubles and one triple with 69 RBI while slashing .235/.320/.406 (.725 OPS). During his time with the Mets in 2024, Martinez was held in high regard and described as a tremendous influence on young players.
His leadership was reportedly on full display midway through that season, as when the offense was struggling and the team was 24-33, he took charge and demanded that the offense be more accountable. The meeting helped the Mets turn its season around and the team went 65-40 from June through September.
That kind of impact from a leader and hitting mastermind like Martinez is exactly the type of presence this Mets team needs around. Who knows, if Martinez was with the team in 2025, maybe the epic second half collapse is avoided or isn’t nearly as bad.