Mets star J.D. Martinez makes big moves in pickleball world amid rising popularity of sport in US
It was not the ending to the season that J.D. Martinez and the New York Mets were hoping for as they were eliminated in the NLCS by the Los Angeles Dodgers. That said, the Mets exceeded their expectations, particularly after such a disappointing start to the year.
While Martinez may have hoped to be playing in Friday's World Series, the veteran slugger has not sat still waiting for next season. The 37-year-old has made a notable move regarding his future after baseball. The six-time All-Star has reportedly replaced the baseball bat for a pickleball paddle, becoming the newest member of a South Florida-based pickleball club known as 'The Fort.'
In a social media post by the pickleball club itself, they officially announced Martinez as the latest member to join. While J.D. Martinez weighs his future in the MLB for 2025 and beyond, the slugger jokingly said that he would be taking up the growing sport. Turns out, it was all true, as the Miami-native looks to bring his talent to the pickleball court.
That being said, Martinez also explained that while his MLB future may remain in question, he is also looking forward to spending time with his family and not missing out on key moments of his daughter's life.
"I'm going to go home and just enjoy my time, get to see my daughter for the second time, I haven't held her since she was born," Martinez told reporters.
If we have seen the last of J.D. Martinez in the MLB, he will be able to look back on a successful career. A six-time All-Star and World Series champion in the 2018 with the Boston Red Sox, Martinez has been a star throughout his 14 years in the Majors.
J.D. Martinez is one of several pending veteran free agents for the New York Mets
While Martinez's future in the MLB remains in question, the future of several proven veterans for the New York Mets will be a major question mark. It will undoubtedly be a busy offseason for Mets President of Baseball Operations David Stearns as they look to continue their momentum from this year.
Stearns and the front office not only need to decide if Martinez fits into the team’s future plans but also have to evaluate key players such as Pete Alonso, Jose Quintana, Luis Severino, and Jesse Winker. Coming off an NLCS appearance, it will be interesting to see how the Mets approach the offseason.