Why Mookie Betts wasn’t the only reason JD Martinez signed with the Dodgers

Relationships with former teammates Mookie Betts and an old hitting coach Robert Van Scoyock of course it helped.

But in the end JD Martinez announced his decision to sign a contract with Dodgers — under a lucrative one-year contract for $10 million, no less — boiled down to an even simpler and more unique reason.

“I’m in a part of my career where I just want to win,” the newly appointed Dodgers forward said Wednesday night, speaking publicly for the first time since his off-season arrival at a bowling alley charity event the Betts hosted in downtown Los Angeles. Angeles.

“I didn’t want to be on a team that was going to rebuild. I didn’t want to be on a team trying to figure out where [it was] going [that] didn’t know where we would be,” Martinez added. “I wanted to be on a team that would compete right in October. This was my main business. That was literally my main task.”

That helped explain Martinez’s decision to cut a deal with the Dodgers in December that was considered below market, according to his agent Scott Boras. to Athletic was understated by “$6–7 million” for a five-time All-Star and three-time Silver Slugger.

However, Martinez, 35, was offered a competitive appeal by the Dodgers that few clubs could match — a point he said he emphasized to President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman when signing with the team.

“When I was on the phone with Andrew,” Martinez recalled, “I said, ‘I do this because I believe in you guys and I believe in the team you put on the field every year. “

He later added, “I am nearing the end of my career. And I know it’s a really good chance… to try and win another World Series.”

Martinez first began to envision life as a Dodger ahead of last season’s trade deadline, when the team made a push to acquire him before giving up the Boston Red Sox’s high asking price.

In free agency, the Dodgers got another chance by targeting Martinez, who batted .274 last year to earn an All-Star selection but also cooled off in the second half to finish with just 16 home runs. veteran Justin Turner after he and the team failed to make progress on a new deal.

“I always thought I might end up here,” Martinez said.

And now that it’s a reality, the Dodgers have high hopes for his potential impact on the team.

On the field, they will rely on Martinez to produce from the DH position and provide power in the middle of the squad.

Beyond that, they believe the veteran could take on a leadership role at their new club, a process that began last month when Van Scojok set up a practice session in Miami with Martinez and the rookie. Miguel Vargas.

“That’s something that has always come naturally to me on every team I’ve played for,” Martinez said. “I have helped a lot of young guys and a lot of guys are drawn to me, especially when it comes to the attacking side. So I don’t even think about that part and it sort of happens.”

To top it off, Martinez’s connection to Van Scoyock and the Betts should only ease the transition.

As a private instructor in 2013, Van Scoyock helped Martinez revitalize his swing and become one of the toughest hitters in the game. Since then, over nine seasons, Martinez’s 258 home runs have ranked sixth in the majors.

Meanwhile, Betts became one of Martinez’s closest teammates with the Boston Red Sox in 2018 when they formed a partnership that helped the club achieve success. World Series title over dodgers who fall.

“We’re real friends,” Betts said. “It’s a lot deeper than baseball.”

Near the end of his free agency this offseason, Martinez said that Betts and Van Scoyock were “definitely in the recruiting phase for me,” approaching him repeatedly to invite him to join the team.

It was the last push the slugger needed.

Even at the annual discount rate, Martinez looked at his opportunity with the Dodgers and decided, “That’s where I wanted to be.”