Chris

Martin

The 33-year-old right-hander told reporters a few weeks ago that he would be open to the idea if it was something that the Rangers wanted to do, and now it sounds like they’re actually considering the idea after losing Kirby Yates, David Robertson and Jose Leclerc to free agency. If it isn’t Gray, it seems like right-hander Chris Martin would be the strongest candidate to begin the 2025 season in that role barring any additional acquisitions.

The Arlington native, who has said that 2025 would probably be his final season, turned down more money from the Red Sox and likely others to pitch for his hometown team. He previously pitched for the Rangers in 2018 and ’19.

Martin provides the Rangers with a proven high-leverage option and a potential fallback option at closer if they’re unable to re-sign stopper Kirby Yates. The 38-year-old veteran struggled with some physical issues last year with the Red Sox but still managed to record a strong 3.45 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 50/3 K/BB ratio across 44 1/3 innings (45 appearances). He’s made a remarkable 369 relief appearances in the big leagues dating back to 2014. The strikeouts and elite control remain intact, which gives him a shot at fantasy relevance in 2025.

The Blue Jays just traded Jordan Romano to the Phillies, and even if they hadn’t have moved Romano, Toronto would likely be interested in upgrading their bullpen for 2025. Estevez is particularly interesting as a potential target here, as the 31-year-old was effective as a closer last year for both the Angels and Phillies. It seems very plausible that Estevez could end up trading places with Romano as the Toronto stopper in 2025.

Martin has been stellar for the Red Sox in his two seasons, posting a 2.16 ERA in 100 appearances, while walking just 11 batters. “He’s earned the right to get here (to free agency) and we need to figure out how all the pieces come together but guys who can go months and months between walks (are valuable),” said Red Sox president of baseball operations Craig Breslow. With Kenley Jansen also a free agent, Martin would join a late-inning group of Kiam Hendriks and Garrett Whitlock, if he were to return.

Jansen has been fighting the shoulder for a little while now. He actually closed out the first game of Sunday’s doubleheader anyway and looked good doing it, but it’s been decided there’s no reason for him to keep going at this point. It’s probably the end of Jansen’s Red Sox career after two quality seasons in which he totaled 56 saves. Chris Martin and Justin Slaten will be candidates for save chances this week.

That’ll make him extra attractive in free agency this winter, since he’ll only be asking for a one-year deal. Martin has a 3.43 ERA in 39 1/3 innings this season after coming in at 1.05 in 51 1/3 innings last year, but it’s been less of a decline than a correction. One imagines several contenders will be after him as a setup man who, while far from a workhorse, could help a bunch in October.

Jansen is scheduled to play catch on Saturday afternoon with the goal of being available, should a save situation arise. The -year-old veteran stopper has been dealing with lat inflammation for the last couple weeks. It would likely be Chris Martin taking over if he winds up needing some additional time off to rest.

This explains why he struggled Wednesday and didn’t get the call in a save chance Friday. Although Josh Winckowski closed tonight, Chris Martin should be the favorite for saves until Jansen returns.

The 38-year-old right-hander made it look relatively easy after the Red Sox scored three times in the top of the 10th, getting Matt Vierling on a fly ball to right field, Kerry Carpenter on a ground out that played the extra runner and Jace Jung on strikes to end it. Martin looks like a terrific understudy to Kenley Jansen in the ninth inning for the Red Sox.