Arizona Diamondbacks: J D. Martinez continues to provide value

By Mark Brown |

The Arizona Diamondbacks need to sign J.D. Martinez in the off-season. (Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images)

When the Arizona Diamondbacks acquired J.D. Martinez, the idea was to strengthen the outfield for the immediate season.

Teams involved in post-season play, other than the Arizona Diamondbacks, must shake their heads at a missed opportunity. At the All-Star break, the Detroit Tigers cut the umbilical cord from J. D. Martinez, and offered the outfielder to the baseball world.

While the Tigers entertained several offers, they ultimately dealt Martinez, just turned 30-years-old last month, to the Diamondbacks in a deal now considered a landmark in recent trades. While Martinez’s bat was sought by a plethora of clubs, numbers he since put up for Arizona are no less than astonishing.

With production aside, Martinez, through a quiet profile, has fit into the Diamondbacks’ surge into the playoff picture seamless and nearly perfect. Sure, his numbers are off the charts and there are whispers about MVP consideration. There is no question that Martinez’s bat clearly help catapult the Diamondbacks into post-season play.

At the same time, Martinez assumes an unpretentious demeanor and a quiet confidence which permeates through the clubhouse. In trying to explain his success, Martinez told Call to the Pen that he simply resides within his own limits.

“I worked really hard to put myself in the best position,” he said. “Just how the year has gone, and the ups and downs I’ve had and injuries, it’s been fun. It’s a nice bounce back for me.”

Martinez admits creating a certain trajectory to his swing and attempts to lift the ball in the air. That has help to create his dynamic numbers.

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Coming into play Friday night against the Royals in Kansas City, Martinez hit 45 home runs and that’s combined between the Tigers and Diamondbacks. Only Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton have hit more this season. Martinez’s 16 bombs in September tied the NL mark for most homers in September set by Ralph Kiner of the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1949. He has two days left in the month to equal the major record of 17 set by Babe Ruth in 1927 and possibly surpass.

Here in the final days of the regular season, Martinez told Call to the Pen that his maturity and awareness are important factors for his success.

“I feel that I’m a better now, and have more of sense of an understanding of myself and the game than I did four years ago or three years ago,” he said. “The older you get, the smarter you get, and you need to grow. Since I’ve been here, I had a little run, and felt I did a good job of handling that. No, I’m not caught up in all the hype.”

Martinez may divorce himself from the hysteria surrounding his accomplishments, but those in the clubhouse are amazed. To that level, manager Torey Lovullo thinks there should be some MVP consideration, and told Call to the Pen that Martinez deserves attention.

“Because he’s been here only for one half of a season maybe a factor,” Lovullo said. “Look, what he has done is something very special. Do I think he deserves consideration for MVP? Absolutely.”

After the season, Martinez will be an unrestricted free agent. Entering that the conversation, he told Call to the Pen would like to remain in Sedona Red. For now, that can wait.

Looking ahead

The Diamondbacks close their regular season with a weekend set against the Royals in Kansas City. Zack Greinke opens the set for Arizona against former Diamondback Ian Kennedy.

Right-hander Taijuan Walker goes on Saturday and lefty Robbie Ray get the ball from Lovullo to close out the regular season on Sunday.

The Diamondbacks immediately fly back to Phoenix and begin preparation to host the NL Wild Card game. The team will conduct workouts both on Monday and Tuesday in Chase Field. The Wild Card game is slated to start at 5:08 p.m., local time (8:08 p. m. Eastern time), and televised nationally by TBS this coming Wednesday.

Elsewhere … A Diamondbacks p. r. representative told Call to the Pen that the team has received over 500 applications for media credentials to cover the Wild Card contest.

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