In preparation for their forthcoming three-game exhibition series against the Los Angeles Angels, the Dodgers have named their starting lineup. As a result, we now know more about how the rotation will seem when the regular season resumes.
Former designated hitter J.D. Martinez explained his decision to pass up a bigger offer from the New York Mets in favor of joining the San Francisco Giants during the offseason. Due to two minor ailments, reliever Brusdar Graterol will begin the season on the injured list.
The Dodgers will have a break when they play the St. Louis Cardinals in their domestic home opener because a former reliever was dismissed.
J.D. Martinez, the former designated hitter for the Dodgers, finally found a place to call home for 2024 after a protracted search this winter. He signed a $12 million, one-year contract with the New York Mets.
Martinez is only going to receive $4.5 million for the upcoming season as part of a significantly deferred deal. He will receive $1.5 million every year from 2034 to 2038.
For the Mets, it’s a great deal, and Martinez probably never thought he would sign it coming into the winter. Martinez wanted a multi-year deal after having a really good season with the Dodgers. In 113 games for Los Angeles, he batted.271, hit 33 home runs, and totaled 103 runs batted in.
He reportedly declined the rival San Francisco Giants’ larger offer, which was for a one-year contract worth $15 million. Martinez at last discussed why he declined the San Francisco offer.
His primary justification was Oracle Park’s lack of hitter-friendliness. We have heard during the summer that players might not want to play at Giants Stadium before. Shohei Ohtani was reportedly not a huge Oracle fan either.
Because Martinez would have added legitimacy to the lineup, the Dodgers are happy he stayed in the north. Even though his move to New York will primarily benefit the Mets, it’s a good place for someone who had an influence on the team in a single season.
