BREAKING: Rangers Confirms Reunion with Ex-Red Sox Pitcher on a $220 Contract
The Texas Rangers are determined to regain their position at the pinnacle of Major League Baseball after a challenging 2024 season, and they are bringing back a familiar figure to aid in their pursuit. As reported by Robert Murray of Fansided, the Rangers have agreed to a one-year deal with veteran relief pitcher Chris Martin. While the financial details of the contract remain undisclosed, Martin’s return is a strategic move for the team.
A local favorite, Martin’s Arlington, Texas roots make him a natural fit for the Rangers. But his appeal isn’t just sentimental—Martin remains a reliable reliever, even at the age of 38. Over the past two seasons with the Boston Red Sox, he maintained a strong 2.16 ERA across 95.2 innings (100 games). Although his fastball velocity dipped slightly in 2024 (losing about one mph), his impressive strikeout rate has kept concerns in check.
The rise in his ERA from a stellar 1.05 in 2023 to 3.45 in 2024 can largely be attributed to an increase in opponents’ batting average on balls in play and a higher home run-to-fly-ball ratio. Even so, a 3.45 ERA over 44.1 innings is still a respectable performance, and the Rangers have bolstered their bullpen with a quality arm at a reasonable cost.
Martin previously pitched for Texas in 2018 and hit his stride with the team before being traded to the Atlanta Braves at the 2019 trade deadline in exchange for Kolby Allard.
Defending a World Series title is never easy, and the Rangers know this all too well. Following their triumphant 2023 season, the team experienced declines from key players and grappled with injuries, leading to a disappointing 2024 campaign.
In response, the Rangers have been proactive this offseason. They signed power hitter Joc Pederson in free agency, traded for Jake Burger, who hit 29 home runs last year, and added catcher Kyle Higashioka for depth. They also re-signed Nathan Eovaldi to fortify their rotation. Now, with the addition of Chris Martin, the bullpen gets a valuable boost. General manager Chris Young has kept his word about making significant moves to bring the Rangers back to the top, where they firmly believe they belong.