Mets make big free agent splash on slugger who took $2 million less to play in Queens

TAMPA, Fla. — It looks like the Mets found protection for Pete Alonso after all.

On Thursday evening, New York added three-time Silver Slugger J.D. Martinez. The deal, which is pending a physical, is expected to be for one year, $12 million, reports Jon Heyman of the New York Post.

If the deal goes through, the Mets will pay Martinez $4.5 million this season and $1.5 million from 2034-38, according to The Post’s Mike Puma.

This lessens the Mets’ luxury tax hit which would have been $13.2 million because they’re in the fourth tier (110%). In all, this deal couldve cost them north of $25 million. Instead, they’ll pay about $9.5 million in 2024.

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Earlier this offseason, the 6-foot-3 right-hander declined a one-year, $14 million offer from the Giants, according to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale. Heyman confirmed the report stating that he simply “didn’t want to go there.”

Last season, Martinez batted .271 with a .572 slugging percentage (134 OPS+), 33 home runs and 103 RBI last season for the Dodgers in 113 games (479 plate appearances). While the six-time All-Star has played corner outfield in the past, he is primarily a designated hitter now; he had only 12 innings in the field last season.

This will impact the Mets in several ways. Luke Voit and Jiman Choi, who have late spring opt-outs in their contracts, no longer have a place in the lineup since Martinez will be the team’s everyday DH. They will either opt out of their deals in search of an opportunity elsewhere or be optioned to the minors.

Neither player helped their cause this spring, both accounting for one home run each. Voit went 3-for-30 (.100 average) with a .222 on-base percentage and Choi went 6-for-33 (.182 average) with a .308 OBP. Both players can be utilized as backup first basemen, but the Mets will likely carry a more versatile defender on the bench, someone who can play multiple positions, not just first.

Mark Vientos comes to mind in that role. While New York would probably like Vientos to get more at-bats, optioning him to Triple-A Syracuse might make sense. Still, a situation exists where he serves as something of a utility player, backing up at third base and first base while taking some reps at DH too.

Vientos, who leads the team with four home runs in camp, is technically still in the running for the starting job at third base, but Brett Baty appears to be running away with it. In the month of March, Baty is slashing .294/.385/.588 with three home runs and six RBIs while playing elite defensively.

The Mets have had DJ Stewart take reps at first base too, making him a backup option there and in the outfield. The problem is, Stewart hasn’t helped his case in camp either, batting .152 with a .542 OPS.

With a week left before Opening Day, the Mets have a lot of decisions to make. Fortunately, adding Martinez makes for a good problem for the team.

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Manny Gómez may be reached at mgomez@njadvancemedia.com.