AL West club looking for reunion with Red Sox free agent reliever
One of the key members of the Red Sox bullpen the last couple of years is still on the open market looking for a home in 2025.
The Rangers have been expressing interest in a reunion with veteran right-handed reliever Chris Martin, according to Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News.
The Arlington native is thought to be prioritizing teams closer to his home in Texas. Martin has also expressed interest in returning to the Red Sox next season. The righty is reportedly looking for a one-year deal and is contemplating retirement at the end of next season.
The 38-year-old reliever pitched well in his two years in the backend of the Red Sox bullpen. During his time in Boston, Martin posted a 2.16 ERA in 100 games with five saves. His best season came in 2023, where he recorded a 1.05 ERA in 55 games, picking up a Cy Young vote in the process.
Martin missed some time in 2024 with right elbow inflammation and anxiety-related issues. He hurled just 44 1/3 innings while striking out 50 batters and walking only three. The veteran only walked 11 hitters during his two seasons with the Red Sox.
Rangers president of baseball operations Chris Young has been looking to rebuild the team’s bullpen this offseason. Texas has added relievers Robert Garcia, Jacob Webb, Shawn Armstrong, and Hoby Milner. Adding Martin to the mix would give the Rangers a proven late-innings reliever at the back end of the bullpen.
“I think our job is to continue to find ways to upgrade the roster, and if there is the right fit at the back of the bullpen, we value that immensely,” Young said to Grant and other Rangers reporters.
“Obviously, two years ago, we traded for Aroldis Chapman, and last year we signed two great options in Kirby Yates and David Robertson. We do value it, and we will look to try to continue to find ways to fill it. The bullpen is the primary focus.
“We’re going to need to continue to pursue leverage arms. And that’s not going to be just this offseason. That’s going to be in the season as well.”
