The former Dodger star finally declared to sign with the Mets before opening day, according to an insider.

Despite star Kodai Senga’s injury, New York will try to recover from a dismal 2023 campaign and appears to be in a stronger position right now on paper.

For New York, the designated hitter position is still up for grabs. Even if it appears that the team wants to give Mark Vientos more of a role, rumors continue to circulate. A number of players, including six-time All-Star J.D. Martinez, have been connected to New York. Although it’s unclear if a deal will actually go through, Joel Sherman of the New York Post says it’s still possible.

“It is why Martinez is probably more of a possibility,” Sherman stated. “To have depth and a safety net at third base in case Brett Baty and Mark Vientos faltered there, the Mets recently recruited another J.D. in Davis. However, more playing time convinced him to sign with the Oakland Athletics. The Mets’ first aim is to develop young players to better position them for the future, therefore they would not commit to significantly reducing Baty’s or Ventos’ playing time.

Many players have ties to New York, including J.D. Martinez, a six-time All-Star. A deal might still happen, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, even though it’s uncertain if it will.

Sherman said, “That’s why Martinez is probably more of a possibility.” “The Mets just added another J.D. in Davis to provide them depth and a safety net at third base in case Brett Baty and Mark Vientos struggled there. Still, he was persuaded to join with the Oakland Athletics in exchange for more playing time. The Mets would not commit to drastically cutting into Baty’s or Ventos’ playing time because their primary goal is to develop young players in order to better position them for the future.