Arizona Diamondbacks, J.D. Martinez thinking long-term
By Keaton Moore
"Since joining the Arizona Diamondbacks in July, J.D. Martinez has given his new team every reason to sign him to a long-term deal, and he is open to that possibility."
Needless to say, J.D. Martinez has come a long way since being released after a subpar stretch as a Houston Astro from 2011-2013. Now, after four successful seasons with the Detroit Tigers, Martinez is leaving his mark with the Diamondbacks and expressed his interest about signing with his new team as a free agent this winter.
"“I’ve thought about it a lot,” Martinez said (per espn.com).”It’s definitely something I’d love, I’d be interested in. I’ve loved my time here. The guys are great. The team is young. They’re definitely going to be good for a while.”"
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Martinez came to the Diamondbacks via a trade with the Tigers in mid-July and since then, he has batted .257 with 18 home runs and 40 RBI. If those numbers aren’t enough, he became the 16th player in major league history to hit four home runs in a single game on Monday against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
"“I think one of the most important things in my free agency is I want to be on a team that’s relevant–a team that’s good, a team that’s in it,” Martinez said. “I don’t want to be on a team just because [it offers the most money]. I want to be on a team that’s got a chance. That’s what’s fun. That’s what you play game for.”"
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The Diamondbacks hold a 7.5 game lead atop the Wild Card standings, looking to make their first postseason appearance since 2011. Likewise, Martinez is hoping to make the second postseason appearance of his seven-year career with Arizona this season. He last played in October with the Tigers in their losing effort against the Baltimore Orioles in the 2014 ALDS.