The Boston Red Sox are once again looking to bolster their bullpen-and they’ve got a familiar face in mind. According to reports, the team is showing interest in veteran right-hander Chris Martin, who isn’t ready to hang up the cleats just yet and plans to pitch in 2026.
Martin’s name should ring a bell for Red Sox fans. He was nothing short of dominant in 2023, posting a jaw-dropping 1.05 ERA that helped anchor Boston’s bullpen.
That performance was so strong, he even snagged a vote for the American League Cy Young Award-rare air for a reliever. While his numbers came back to earth a bit in 2024, he still turned in a respectable 3.45 ERA, proving he’s far from washed.
After his standout run in Boston, Martin returned to the Texas Rangers on a one-year deal last offseason-his second stint with the club after pitching there in 2018 and 2019. In 49 appearances, he logged a 2.98 ERA, though his 1.20 WHIP was his highest since 2021. Still, those are solid numbers for a late-inning arm, especially one approaching 40.
What’s always separated Martin from the pack is his elite control. Few relievers in the modern game fill up the strike zone like he does.
In fact, over a 10-year MLB career, he’s never issued double-digit walks in a single season. Since 2019, he leads all relievers with an eye-popping 8.7 strikeout-to-walk ratio-comfortably ahead of Liam Hendriks, who ranks second at 7.0.
That kind of precision is rare, and it makes Martin a valuable piece for any bullpen, even as he battles the inevitable challenges of age.
Of course, durability is now a question mark. Martin, who turns 40 in June, dealt with a string of injuries in 2024-shoulder fatigue, a left calf strain, and a hand issue all limited his availability. He still managed to throw 44 1/3 innings for Boston that season, but he’s no longer the kind of arm you can pencil in for 70 appearances.
That said, the Red Sox don’t necessarily need a workhorse-they need quality innings in high-leverage spots. If Martin can stay healthy, he could form a steady late-game trio with Garrett Whitlock and Aroldis Chapman, giving Boston a veteran presence and one of the league’s most strike-zone-savvy arms in the back end of the bullpen.
The contract likely won’t be flashy-Martin’s age and health history will keep expectations (and dollars) in check-but for a team looking to shore up its relief corps with experience and command, there’s a lot to like here.