Relief pitcher Chris Martin will not be returning to the Boston Red Sox after an impressive two-year stint with the team.
The 38-year-old has instead signed a one-year deal with the Texas Rangers, marking his return to the organization where he previously pitched. Martin first joined the Rangers in 2018 and made 38 appearances in 2019 before being traded. The team announced the signing on Monday.
Martin, who turns 39 in June, initially joined the Red Sox on a two-year, $17.5 million contract two offseasons ago. He quickly became Boston’s trusted setup man, posting a remarkable 1.05 ERA over 55 relief appearances in 2023. This past season, he followed up with a solid 3.45 ERA in 44 1/3 innings, earning him attention on the free-agent market.
While Boston had shown interest in bringing Martin back this offseason, the team pivoted after signing Justin Wilson and Aroldis Chapman in free agency, as well as adding starting pitchers Garrett Crochet, Walker Buehler, and Patrick Sandoval. These additions allowed several members of last year’s rotation to transition into bullpen roles for 2025.
“His value was very clear,” Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow said during the GM Meetings in November, as reported by MassLive’s Christopher Smith. “We saw it both when he was pitching and when he wasn’t available. Rebuilding the bullpen is something we’re working on, and we definitely saw a potential fit.”
Born and raised in Arlington, Texas, Martin’s new deal represents a homecoming. The Rangers, who won their last World Series two years ago, are coming off a disappointing 78-84 season in 2024 and missed the playoffs.
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