The San Diego Padres are actively seeking to strengthen their lineup after dropping out of the race for young star Roki Sasaki. As the offseason progresses and Spring Training nears, the team recognizes the urgency to make a splash in free agency. With several capable players still available, the franchise is in hot pursuit of another All-Star.
The Padres are reportedly targeting JD Martinez. The team considers him an ideal fit on the roster, given his proven contribution to the plate. However, Martinez had a bit of a tough year in 2024 with the New York Mets. He finished with just 16 home runs and 69 RBIs. However, his previous season with the Los Angeles Dodgers featured an impressive All-Star appearance, where he hit 33 home runs and drove in 103 runs.
With a hard-hit percentage in the 77th percentile and a barrel percentage in the 94th, Martinez would be the perfect fit. If given the chance, he can contribute strong offensive output if he finds the right fit. Bleacher Report’s Zachary Rymer has even predicted that Martinez could end up signing with the Padres. According to him, it is a potential “under-the-radar” move that could pay off for the team.
The Padres are signing Martín Maldonado, per @dennistlin pic.twitter.com/olL1gjo5eU
— B/R Walk-Off (@BRWalkoff) January 16, 2025
He noted that the star outfielder could help them cut off struggles at the middle of the order. And to add to his resume, he has strong batted-ball metrics which would eventually make him a valuable asset for the camp. With the Padres having seen Martinez up close during his time in the division, they might see this as an opportunity to grab a player who can complement their current stars, including Xander Bogaerts.
Also Read: Boston Red Sox Are Expected To Bring Back THIS Japanese Hitter And It Is Not Roki Sasaki
Dodgers Pitcher Thinks Roki Sasaki Could Ditch Them For Blue Jays
While the Padres might have missed to get Sasaki, he seems to have plenty of serious options open for him. As the news is already out on his three finalized teams, all eyes are particularly on the Toronto Blue Jays and the Los Angeles Dodgers.
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Dodgers pitcher Tyler Glasnow recently mentioned that he has heard Sasaki might prefer the Blue Jays. With the San Diego Padres out of the running, Sasaki’s decision seems to be just around the corner, and the Blue Jays have ramped up their efforts by boosting their international signing bonus pool. And there is no doubt that they are serious about landing him.
The Padres are reportedly OUT on signing Roki Sasaki, per @francysromeroFR.
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) January 17, 2025
The Dodgers and Blue Jays appear to be the two finalists. pic.twitter.com/EFCHNEStUQ
Bringing Sasaki on board would be a huge win for the Blue Jays. He had an impressive season in Japan with a 2.35 ERA and 129 strikeouts in 2024. It’s safe to say he has what it takes to be a star in MLB. The Blue Jays don’t want to miss another chance like they did with Shohei Ohtani. They believe Sasaki could be the key player they need to compete for the championship in 2025 and beyond.
Also Read: Roki Sasaki Rumors Take A New Twist With A Potential NL East Dark Horse Contender
