Nick Martinez is not the loudest name on the Mets’ offseason board, but he checks a lot of boxes for a rotation that needs stability. After turning in one of the best seasons of his career, the 36-year-old put up a 3.10 ERA across 180 innings in 2026 and followed that with a 2.81 ERA in the playoffs. That kind of production is hard to ignore, especially for a team trying to build around David Stearns’ preferred profile on the mound.
The fit comes with a price tag, though. Spotrac projects Martinez at 2 years, $42.68 million, which means a hefty annual cost without a long-term commitment. Even if the Mets land Tarik Skubal or another ace-level arm, another established starter would still matter for a young rotation that needs help.
What makes Martinez especially interesting is how many different ways he can help. He’s not just a starter-only option.
Over nine seasons, he has made 151 relief appearances and posted a 2.87 ERA with 200 strikeouts in those outings. That includes Game 4 of the World Series against the Brewers, when he threw two scoreless innings and helped the Rays earn their lone win of the series.
That kind of flexibility matters in October. The Mets would need a starter who can slide into the bullpen if necessary, because winning in the postseason with relievers alone is a tough way to survive. With so much inexperience in the current staff, Martinez would give them a proven arm who could absorb injuries or cover for poor performance, just as he did in 2026.
There’s also the clubhouse side of the equation, and that may be just as valuable. The Mets have dealt with plenty of talk about internal issues in recent years, and while that’s not the root cause of their struggles, it has fed a bad environment.
Rays manager Kevin Cash once called Martinez the "rock of our clubhouse." Cash pointed to Martinez’s role and leadership, something the Mets have lacked.
Francisco Lindor has shown leadership qualities, but after a reported rift with Juan Soto, there appears to have been at least some power struggle in the past. Martinez would bring a steadier presence, the kind that can help pull a group together, which is especially important for a young manager like Andy Green.
The downside is just as clear. Martinez is 36, and he has more than 1,100 big-league innings on his arm, not counting four seasons in Japan.
Compared with free agents such as Clay Holmes and Michael King, the age and workload stand out. And 2026 was his first season as an exclusive starter.
He had started plenty of games before, but he had never reached 180 innings until now.
The Mets have shown they’re willing to bet on relievers moving into starting roles, and that approach worked well with Holmes, to the point where a reunion could be on the table this winter. Still, the wear and tear of 1,120 career innings at Martinez’s age is something Stearns has to weigh carefully.
There’s also the question of how his stuff would play behind the Mets’ defense. Martinez struck out just 109 batters in those 180 innings last season.
That wasn’t a problem for the Rays, who were backed by an elite defense that ranked second in baseball in defensive runs saved with 87. The Mets ranked seventh with 49.
That number should improve with a full season of A.J. Ewing in center field and Carson Benge continuing to develop, but the infield remains unsettled.
Lindor and Marcus Semien both had down years defensively, and first base is still unresolved. Those are issues Stearns has to address, because a strong defensive first baseman would go a long way.
Until that happens, pitchers who lean on defense are a harder sell to Mets fans.
Martinez’s 2026 season showed how high his ceiling can go, and it also showed why the decision is complicated. He was one of the more impressive pitchers in the game last year, but every opportunity carries risk, and that’s the part Stearns has to keep in mind.
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