As the 2025 MLB season begins to take shape, one of the biggest surprises on the free agent market remains the lingering availability of veteran slugger. The 37-year-old outfielder and designated hitter—who made a name for himself during a memorable stretch with the Boston Red Sox from 2018 to 2022—has yet to find a new home, despite a resume that most hitters would envy.
The Veteran is a Florida native, was one of the game’s most consistent power threats during his five-season run in Boston. He racked up multiple All-Star appearances, posted impressive offensive metrics, and was a crucial part of the Red Sox lineup that brought both firepower and stability to the middle of the order. Even in more recent years, he’s proven his worth at the plate, remaining a reliable offensive contributor when healthy.
Still, as of early April, he remains unsigned—a baffling situation for many MLB analysts and fans alike. His continued free agency could be attributed to a variety of factors: his age, potential salary demands, a crowded DH market, or simply teams hesitating to invest in an aging veteran nearing 40. There’s no definitive reason, but one thing is clear: J.D. Martinez still has value, and plenty of teams struggling offensively would benefit from his bat.
Among those teams, the Seattle Mariners stand out as a logical landing spot. Bleacher Report’s Kerry Miller echoed that sentiment in a recent analysis of unsigned MLB veterans, naming the Mariners as one of the most suitable destinations for Martinez. “Of everyone featured here, it is most surprising that J.D. Martinez is still available. It’s not a particularly close contest, either,” Miller stated. He referenced the fact that even last season, Martinez had to wait until late spring training to land a one-year, $12 million deal with the New York Mets—despite being fresh off five straight All-Star campaigns between 2018 and 2023.
This year, the situation feels even more puzzling. As Miller pointed out, Seattle could certainly use a veteran DH with Martinez’s skillset. “Come on,” he wrote. “The Mariners couldn’t use him with Rowdy Tellez and Mitch Garver in their DH rotation?”
The Mariners, who currently sit at a disappointing 4-8 record in the early part of the season, boast a formidable pitching staff that many consider among the best in baseball. However, their offense has been the glaring weak spot, often failing to provide the run support necessary to capitalize on strong outings from their rotation. The bats have been cold, and if the team has any aspirations of contending, something needs to change—and fast.
Adding Martinez to the lineup could inject immediate power and veteran leadership into the dugout. While he may no longer be in his prime, his track record and ability to produce in clutch situations speak volumes. For a team desperate for offense, he could be the spark they’ve been missing.
Whether Seattle makes a move remains to be seen, but as long as J.D. Martinez remains unsigned, the conversation will continue—and so will the confusion over why one of baseball’s best bats still doesn’t have a team.
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