Mets' J.D. Martinez Blames Giants' Oracle Park for Rejecting Higher Contract Offer

New York Mets slugger J.D. Martinez isn't a fan of San Francisco's Oracle Park.

Martinez, who signed a one-year, $12 million deal with the Mets in free agency, was asked Saturday during his introductory press conference why he turned down a reported $15 million offer from the San Francisco Giants earlier in the offseason.

"It's not the best hitter-friendly park for me," Martinez told reporters of Oracle Park.

He added: "If I go there and I hit .260 with 20 [home runs], people are going to say that I'm old and I'm washed up and I'm kind of done, and [I'll] find myself out of the game. I wanted to give myself the best opportunity."

Oracle Park has long been known for not being hitter-friendly.

According to Tony Blengino of Forbes, San Francisco's ballpark was the second-worst for hitters last season. It's also one of the hardest stadium's to hit a home run at, per Baseball Savant.

Martinez, a three-time Silver Slugger and six-time All-Star, is best known for his bat.

After a rough 2022 season with the Boston Red Sox in terms of power, the 36-year-old rebounded as a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2023, hitting .271/.321/.572 with 33 home runs and 103 RBI in 113 games.

In six games at Oracle Park last season, Martinez hit .208/.240/.458 with just one home run and three RBI, per Baseball Reference. In 21 career games in San Francisco, he has launched just three home runs.

Martinez's numbers overall were better in three games at New York's Citi Field last season, as he hit .308/.357/.539. He also hit one home run, though three games is a small sample size to determine his potential across an entire season.

Martinez will get every opportunity to show off his bat in 2024 as New York's everyday designated hitter behind Pete Alonso. The Mets lacked power at the plate last season, but bringing in Martinez should solve that issue.

If Martinez can replicate his success from last season in New York, the Mets figure to have a solid chance to make the playoffs after missing the postseason last year.