J.D. Martinez has suitors, but they haven't met his asking price.
The free-agent All-Star slugger recently turned down contract offers from both the New York Mets and Los Angeles Angels because he felt both proposals were too low, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.
The figures that Martinez turned down weren't detailed.
Martinez declined the offers even though he liked both teams after speaking with them, Heyman adds. Interest between him and both the Mets and Angels have apparently been mutual for some time; Mets owner Steve Cohen even OK'd the pursuit of the three-time Silver Slugger winner despite already being above the highest tax threshold.
Martinez reportedly declined a $14-million offer from the San Francisco Giants in February because he was seeking at least $20 million per year. He also apparently had some recent talks with the Miami Marlins.
The 36-year-old is coming off a productive 2023 season. He hit .271/.321/.572 with 33 homers and 103 RBIs over 113 games as the Los Angeles Dodgers' primary designated hitter. It marked Martinez's fifth 30-homer season since 2015.
Martinez is one of several Scott Boras clients whose free agency has continued into the final days of spring training. Left-hander Jordan Montgomery is also still on the market, while reigning NL Cy Young winner Blake Snell only found his deal in San Francisco last week.
