Mets pivoting from J.D. Davis to J.D. Martinez ended up saving seaso

J.D. Davis needed a job after the Giants released him late in spring training, and he was strongly considering a reunion with the Mets, who sought an experienced right-handed bat. Numerous text me sages were exchanged between Davis and Brandon Nimmo with Davis asking about the Mets new regime, the organizational depth and whether he would be a fit returning to Queens. Ultimately, Davis chose Oakland mostly because of the opportunity for regular playing time something the Mets couldnt offer him. Davis was told he would play against left-handers if he signed with the Mets, but he likely wouldnt be full-time in the lineup. J.D. Martinez has been a driving force behind the Mets resurgence. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post I would barely be playing, said Davis, now a Yankee following his DFA and trade from Oakland. Who knew in March that mi sing on Davis would be such a turning point of the Mets season? Explore More Mets officials soon circled back to another J.D. as in Martinez and with time dwindling before the end of camp and his price tag dropping, signed the veteran DH to a one-year contract worth $12 million that includes deferrals. Martinez has been the player that maybe most saved the Mets season over the past few weeks, with his bat and the it factor he has brought to the clubhouse. Martinez contributed an RBI single Luke Little Jersey Wednesday in the that completed his teams two-game Subway Series sweep. As respected as just about any hitter in baseball, Martinez is the guy consistently needling his teammates, pushing them to improve, while offering ideas on how to get there. It was Martinez during a May 18 hitters meeting who introduced the idea of players taking accountability for their at-bats, with explanations needed if a hitter goes against his pregame plan. The Mets have thrived offensively since that meeting Francisco Lindor was moved to leadoff on the same day and Martinezs .859 OPS hasnt hurt. The Mets have won 15 of 19 games. They are also back to .500. Its probably safe to safe the storyline would have been different had they signed Davis instead of Martinez. The Yankees recently turned to J.D. Davis to help their struggling lineup. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post If [Martinez] is not on the team I dont know what would have happened, Francisco Alvarez said. But I want to thank God because hes with our team. Alvarez likes to watch Martinez take batting practice and the manner in which he focuses on his task. In the clubhouse, Alvarez has come to appreciate that Martinez speaks to him in Spanish. His Spanish is not that good, Alvarez said. But he is working on it. Martinez was asked where he would be if the Mets signed the other J.D. J.D. Martinez Robert Sabo for NY Post Probably home fishing, Martinez said. Thats because Martinez was resolute not to take a pay cut from the $10 million he received last year from the Dodgers. Even at 36 years old, that wouldnt have been warranted for a player with Martinezs rsum who produced an .893 OPS last season. Martinez insists he would have retired without regret if he didnt receive what he was seeking. Martinez takes a cold-blooded approach to the game and for that he is unapologetic. I am a hired gun, he said. That is what [teams] look at me as and that is what I look at myself as. I have had so many tracks along the way. I could have been with the Red Sox for life and finished my career there. I could have been with Detroit and finished my career there, but at the end of the day, this is a busine s. Even so, Martinez isnt afraid to admit he loves his situation with the Mets the players, staff and ballpark all appeal to him. Davis is looking to resurrect his career with the Yankees and understands there was a residual effect to his decision to shun the Mets offer in spring training. It worked out great for them, Davis said. J.D. is a profe sional hitter. Obviously, hes been there, done that and proved he can hit righties and lefties, so good for them. Sometimes its Plan B that works out better than Plan A. Or in this case the latter Plan J.D. was better than the original Plan J.D. Fergie Jenkins Jersey