Former New York Mets slugger J.D. Martinez isn’t on a Major League roster right now. But, he hasn’t stopped working in the batting cage—even if it’s not for his own swing. According to reporting from Jon Heyman of the New York Post, Martinez traveled to Tampa last weekend to help an old teammate in need: Los Angeles Dodgers star Mookie Betts.
Martinez and Betts go way back, winning a World Series together with the 2018 Red Sox and reuniting on the 2023 Dodgers. Now, Betts is enduring one of the worst seasons of his career, batting just .236 with an 88 OPS+ through 105 games. His power has dipped to 11 home runs, and his on-base percentage has slid to .307. For a player who has been an MVP and perennial All-Star, it’s been a startling drop-off—one that Betts clearly hopes Martinez’s influence can help reverse.
The Mentor Role Comes Naturally
For Martinez, offering hitting advice is nothing new. Over his 13-year career, he became known as one of baseball’s best swing analysts, constantly breaking down mechanics for himself and teammates. In New York last season, he was as much a sounding board in the clubhouse as he was a middle-of-the-order bat.
His 2024 numbers with the Mets weren’t All-Star level—a .235/.320/.406 slash line with 16 homers and a 107 OPS+—but they were enough to give a struggling lineup professional at-bats. He also brought the kind of routine and preparation that the Mets’ younger hitters could emulate.
That kind of presence is hard to quantify, and it’s why Heyman noted that Martinez “could help his old Mets team” right now. The club has made moves to shore up its roster without giving up its most prized prospects, but the offense has still lacked consistent punch at times.
The Mets were active at the trade deadline, pulling off four significant deals while holding on to top talents like Jett Williams, Carson Benge, Nolan McLean, Jonah Tong, and Brandon Sproat. The biggest piece they parted with was infield prospect Jesus Baez, who was sent to the Cardinals in exchange for closer Ryan Helsley.
It was an approach that balanced the short-term goal of staying competitive with the long-term plan of developing homegrown talent. But in a postseason race where every at-bat counts. There’s an argument to be made that a veteran like Martinez could have been a low-cost, high-reward addition.
Mets’ Moves Show a Win-Now Push
Martinez remains unsigned, and while the Mets have shown no indication of pursuing him, his recent work with Betts underscores that his baseball mind is as sharp as ever. If he can help a superstar like Betts fine-tune his swing, it’s fair to wonder what he could do for a Mets lineup looking to string together more quality plate appearances.
Martinez, 37, has shown before that he doesn’t need to be in his prime to make an impact. In 2024, he still hit for extra-base power—24 doubles and 16 homers—while maintaining a solid walk rate. For a team with playoff ambitions, having a bat like that available off the bench or in a part-time DH role could be a valuable weapon.
In the meantime, his focus is on helping an old friend rediscover his form. Betts, who moved to full-time shortstop this season for the Dodgers, has faced both the physical and mental grind of a position change on top of a prolonged slump. Martinez’s trip to Tampa wasn’t just about mechanics—it was about confidence, rhythm, and finding the joy in hitting again.
The Mets might not be in the market for him now, but Martinez’s influence is still being felt in the game. If Betts starts raking again in the weeks ahead, it won’t just be a Dodgers win—it will be another reminder that J.D. Martinez’s swing doctor skills haven’t gone anywhere. And maybe, just maybe, the Mets will remember that the last time they had him, they had a hitter who could still change a game with one swing.
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