SF Giants should entertain signing ex-Dodger and 6-time All-Star to be DH

The SF Giants are in need of bats. Their offense was in desperate need of offensive firepower in the second half of 2023, and they have yet to sign a true power threat. That is why the SF Giants should entertain signing designated hitter J.D. Martinez.

SF Giants should entertain signing ex-Dodger and 6-time All-Star to be DH

The SF Giants have been linked to another right-handed bat in Jorge Soler, but it is far from a sure thing that will result in a deal. USA Today's Bob Nightengale predicted that Martinez will land with the Giants, but that is simply a prediction.

Martinez is a premium bat that would instantly transform the Giants lineup. Last season with the Dodgers, he slashed .271/.321/.572 with 33 home runs and 103 RBI in 113 games. Martinez only appeared in left field three times for the Dodgers last year, so he is to be seen as essentially a designated hitter only.

We saw that strategy not exactly pan out for the Giants last season as injuries forced the defensively-limited Joc Pederson to play in the outfield more than the team would have preferred. But perhaps with the addition of Jung Hoo Lee, the Giants would be more comfortable with having a designated hitter who cannot field anymore unless in an absolute emergency.

There is the chance that signing Martinez, like signing Soler or any other designated hitter, could create complications elsewhere in the lineup. As the lineup currently stands, Wilmer Flores would make a lot of sense as a designated hitter because he was the best hitter on the Giants last year and he is limited defensively. He has experience around the field, but first base is his best position.

Signing Martinez would likely force Flores into a platoon with LaMonte Wade Jr. at first base. This would not be the worst thing in the world as Flores typically rakes against lefties, but he proved last year that when he is hot his bat is worth having in the lineup every day.

Nonetheless, this would be a good problem for the Giants to have after a year in which they desperately needed more production from their lineup. Plus, it would be a nice little thumb in the eye to that team down south to sign a guy who tore it up for them last season.

Martinez is the top remaining designated hitter, so he will come at a fairly hefty price. He may be entering his age-36 season, but he has proven he is still more than capable with the bat. If the Giants could sign him on a one-year deal in the $15 million range, that would be a worthwhile investment to pad the lineup going into 2024.