Texas Reportedly Extends Offer to Veteran Slugger
Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports that the Texas Rangers have put a proposal on the table for free‑agent designated hitter J.D. Martinez. After a quiet winter, the 37‑year‑old remained unsigned but made it clear before spring training that he planned to keep playing and hoped to join a club for the season’s second half.
Texas’s offer is said to be non‑guaranteed, giving Martinez the freedom to accept a more lucrative deal elsewhere while he stays in game shape.
Why Texas Is Interested
Martinez spent last year as the Mets’ primary DH, signing just before Opening Day and appearing in 120 games. He posted a .235/.329/.406 slash line with 16 homers and 69 RBIs—numbers below his career norms, yet his underlying metrics stayed encouraging, including a 15 percent barrel rate and an expected batting average of .256.
The Rangers, meanwhile, have received the league’s worst production from the DH spot in 2025. Off‑season acquisition Joc Pederson is on the injured list with a fractured hand after slashing just .131 with two homers in 46 games.
Since his injury, Texas has rotated Sam Haggerty, Wyatt Langford, and Adolis García through the position. At 40‑41, the club sits fourth in the AL West and only 1.5 games out of the final wild‑card berth, so adding a proven bat could be pivotal.
Possible Alternatives Around the League
Texas isn’t the only contender that could benefit from Martinez’s bat. The Cincinnati Reds, currently 2.5 games back of a playoff spot, have cobbled together DH at‑bats for Gavin Lux, Christian Encarnacion‑Strand, and Tyler Stephenson and might welcome a full‑time option.
In Boston, the post‑Rafael Devers lineup has relied on a platoon of Rob Refsnyder and top prospect Roman Anthony at DH—an arrangement that could shift if Martinez returned to Fenway. Given his six All‑Star appearances and career .283 average, any offense‑hungry contender might decide the veteran’s power and experience are worth a mid‑season investment.
