As the Rangers continue to rebuild their bullpen, their list of targets includes a local product, as Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News writes that the team is interested in the Arlington native. Chris Martin. The cool veteran said in September that “95%” is certain that 2025 will be his last season, and with Martin thought to be prioritizing teams closer to his home in Texas, a return to the Rangers would make a lot of sense for both parties.
Although Martin turns 39 in June and may be entering his farewell season, his recent results indicate that the right-hander still has plenty left in the tank. Martin posted a 3.45 ERA in 44 1/3 innings for the Red Sox last season, with a 2.43 SIERA more reflective of his performance level. His ability to produce grounders (46.3% ground ball rate) was underestimated by Boston’s poor defense, which resulted in a .353 BABIP that fueled Martin’s misleading ERA.
His other metrics range from above average to superior, including a 27.8% strikeout rate, solid soft contact numbers, and Martin’s smart control. Long one of the best pitchers in baseball, Martin’s 1.7% walk rate in 2024 was the lowest of any pitcher who threw at least 40 innings. Perhaps the only question hanging over Martin last year was his health, as he had three separate trips to the 15-day injured list due to anxiety, right elbow inflammation, and a problem with his left shoulder.
Martin is a late starter who didn’t make his MLB debut until he was 28 when he played for the Rockies in 2014. After posting a 6.19 ERA in 36 1/3 innings with the Rockies and Yankees in 2014-15, he went to Japan and posted outstanding numbers the next two seasons with the Nippon-Ham Fighters.
This success led to a two-year, $4MM contract with the Rangers during the 2016-17 offseason, as Martin returned to North American baseball with his hometown team. The time in Texas saw Martin show a bright future, and his success early in the 2019 season led Atlanta to make a deal for him at the 2019 trade deadline. Five years later, Martin was considering returning to Arlington with a World Series ring (with the 2021 Braves) and $34MM more in career earnings, as well as an earned reputation as a high-powered reliever.
Rangers president of baseball Chris Young told Grant and other reporters that “the bullpen is the focus” to the team for the rest of the season and the season, and Texas has started on that task in his winter. Robert Garcia, Jacob Webb, Shawn Armstrongagain Hoby Milner they’ve all been found so far, but a more proven late breaker like Martin would stabilize things a lot. Kirby Yates again AJ Minter two other unsigned relievers have been linked to the Rangers in rumors this offseason.
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