Julio Daniel Martínez has been one of the most productive hitters of the last decade. The slugger from Miami, but of Cuban descent has been in All-Star six times an the last ten years and three of the last four years, yet he has had to operate on one-year contracts the last two seasons.
Martínez over his 14-year career has slashed .286/.350/.521/.870, with 1,707 hits, 381 doubles, 325 homeruns and 1,042 runs batted in. During what looks to be the last stanza of his career the outfielder could reach numbers that might make him a Hall of Fame candidate.
The talented veteran signed with the Mets a short time after spring training and in 70 games with the squad from Gotham he is hitting .264 with 10 longballs and 40 RBIs. Martínez along with fellow Cuban José Iglesias have being to welcomed editions to the Mets and sparkplugs to the team’s offense.
How has your presence affected this lineup?
I don’t know you would have to ask them.
You have been an All-Star three of the last four years, yet you have gone late into the offseason with a contract. In your opinion are you underappreciated by the GM’s of this league?
I mean I’m kind of biased to that obviously, but it’s kind of been one of those things where you’ve kind of have to sit around waiting to see what happens to see who is going to offer. It’s kind of one of those things that’s kind of hard for me to understand. I guess it is what it is.
You come to a new see, yet you have a fellow Cuban like José Iglesias on the team. How has that made you feel more comfortable in New York City?
We go back to our Detroit days, we’ve been friends for a while now. I don’t know, it’s just one of those things that you get together sometimes in the offseason and speaking with him in the locker room he’s easy to get along with, it’s funny.
Being a Miami native, how does it feel to come home?
It feels great, I love the,weather down here obviously. I biased again to that, but it’s just home. You know.
You have had a storied career at the plate are 2,000 hits, 400 doubles and 400 homeruns a goal for you?
I’ve never thought of it, I’m being honest with you. I don’t even know where I stand on it. It is just one of those things where you go out there and try to be the best player I can every year. I try to search for great year from myself at the plate is all I try to do.