Mets reportedly have interest in J.D. Martinez if he becomes available

The 2022 MLB trade deadline is one week from today. The New York Mets need some bats to bolster their lineup and bullpen arms to make the best possible run at winning a World Series. Some recent reports indicate that the Mets will show interest in J.D. Martinez of the Boston Red Sox if he becomes available.

Martinez’s boost to the Mets’ order

Martinez, designated hitter for the Red Sox, is batting over .300 with a .302 average on the year. In 81 games played, Martinez has hit nine home runs and 38 RBIs. It puts him well over 15 home runs, and 70 RBI’s on average for the 2022 season. Martinez also has an OPS of .849.

The Mets could greatly use a .300 hitter right in the middle of the batting order. Prior to Sunday night’s game, the Mets bats had been struggling. Adding Martinez’s bat would be huge to potentially put this team over the top.

• Mets lose breakout reliever to the 15-day injured list
• Mets designate former starter turned relief pitcher for assignment
• Mets designate a flamethrower who never appeared for them for assignment

The Mets, who have struggled to hit left-handed pitching with a .239 average this season, would be getting a substantial boost in Martinez. On the year, he is batting .368 (1.065 OPS) against left-handed pitching.

Initially, the first report of the Mets having an interest in Martinez if he were to come available was from Pat Ragazzo, Mets Beat Writer for Sports Illustrated. The reports were later followed up by Ken Rosenthal, Senior Writer for The Athletic, and Andy Martino of SNY.

Lastly, Jeff Passan of ESPN recently wrote that the Red Sox’s chances of being sellers at the deadline are becoming “increasingly realistic,” per a source. The Red Sox are now 49-48 on the year and are 2-8 over their last 10. They have fallen 3.5 games behind the Tampa Bay Rays and 4.5 games behind the Toronto Blue Jays in the AL East. Passan finished by stating that Martinez would make “all sorts of sense” for the Mets.