Veteran Red Sox reliever signs with hometown Texas Rangers
In what is expected to be his last season, veteran reliever Chris Martin is heading home to pitch for the Texas Rangers, the team announced on Monday night.
The Arlington native leaves the Red Sox after two seasons where he 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.
The 38-year-old expressed interest in a reunion with the Red Sox, who reportedly offered him a more lucrative deal to return to Boston, according to WEEI’s Rob Bradford. Martin elects to pitch closer to home and pitch on a cheaper one-year deal from the Rangers.
The veteran told Chris Smith of MassLive in September that he was 95% sure he would retire after the 2025 season.
“To be 100% honest, I think next year will be my last year,” Martin said in September. “We have a fourth (child) on the way,” Martin said. “Obviously I want to be there for them. And they’re getting to the ages where they’re starting to play sports. I’m getting older. Obviously, (being) 40 years old and playing baseball is going to be hard on me mentally and physically. I think that probably will be the cutoff. We’ll see. I don’t want to say 100%. I’d say 95% that next year will be my last year. I just want to be completely focused these last 11 days here, and then if the opportunity comes next year—a team’s still gotta want me, so we’ll see.”
The Rangers have been working on upgrading their bullpen this offseason, adding relievers Robert Garcia in a trade with the Nationals for first baseman Nathaniel Lowe, Jacob Webb, Shawn Armstrong, and Hoby Milner. The addition of Martin gives the Rangers a proven late-innings reliever that can handle high-leverage spots. Texas has also signed left-hander Michael Plassmeyer and righty Patrick Murphy to minor league deals.
