The Los Angeles Dodgers are still pursuing Shohei Ohtani in free agency, but if they are unsuccessful in signing the two-way superstar, they also run the chance of losing out on J.D. Martinez.

Ohtani, who might negotiate a deal for close to $600 million, would be the Dodgers’ designated hitter and would bat in the lineup. Ohtani’s 2024 season will be spent hitting only as he recovers from what is thought to have been a second Tommy John surgery.

Since the start of free agency, Martinez has been considered the Dodgers’ backup at third base in the event that Ohtani is not signed.

Jim Bowden of The Athletic reports that, while not much has been made public about Martinez’s market, the Arizona Diamondbacks are interested in both him and Justin Turner.

Martinez rebounded from a disappointing season with the Dodgers, setting himself up to earn a multi-year deal during his second consecutive offseason as a free agent.

Martinez finished the season hitting and was selected as the National League’s starting designated hitter in the 2023 All-Star Game.With 61 runs scored, 103 RBI, 271/.321/.572, 33 home runs, and a 135 wRC+.

Reuniting with Mookie Betts and Dodgers hitting coach Robert Van Scoyoc was partly responsible for the turnaround, according to him. In the same vein, Betts acknowledged Martinez as the main reason behind his MVP-caliber campaign.

Martinez played for the Diamondbacks in 2017, so if he signs with them, it will be a reunion. In the first game of the National League Division Series, Martinez hit three home runs against the Dodgers.

J.D. Martinez was not issued a qualifying offer.Martinez had a successful season this year, but it was insufficient to earn him a qualifying offer for 2024.

If Martinez had accepted the Dodgers’ qualifying offer, which is worth $20.35 million, he would have signed a one-year contract earning that amount. The Dodgers would have been prepared to receive compensation in the event that Martinez signed with another team, if he had declined.

Not surprisingly, given that the qualifying offer deadline falls far ahead of Ohtani’s final decision, the Dodgers chose not to commit Martinez as their designated hitter.