In September 2024, Chris Martin said that he was “95%” sure that 2025 would be his final season before retirement. It appears as that five percent chance of a return has now grown into a reality, as MassLive.com’s Chris Cotillo reports that Martin is planning to return in 2026 for his 11th MLB season. The Red Sox have interest in Martin for what would be a return engagement between the two sides, as Martin pitched for Boston during the 2023-24 seasons.
Martin spent the 2025 season with the Rangers on a one-year, $5.5MM deal, and the fact that the Arlington native turned down larger offers from the Red Sox and other teams to join the Rangers only added to the narrative of what seemed to be a farewell season. The right-hander delivered yet another strong season, posting a 2.98 ERA, 24.7% strikeout rate, and an elite 4.6% walk rate over 42 1/3 innings out of the Texas bullpen.
For the second straight season, Martin made multiple trips to the injured list. The righty missed time due to right shoulder fatigue, a left calf strain, and (most troublingly) thoracic outlet syndrome, with the TOS diagnosis emerging in September. Since the assumption was that Martin was retiring, there wasn’t any word on whether or not Martin underwent TOS surgery, but it would appear he is foregoing the procedure or his diagnosis wasn’t serious enough to require surgery.
Between the TOS situation, Martin’s other recent injuries, or the simple fact that he turns 40 in June, there is certainly some question about whether Martin can continue to defy Father Time. That said, Martin is still one of baseball’s best control pitchers and he is still getting strong results, so it makes sense that he would still want to keep playing as long as he still has gas in the tank.
Since he pitched for the Red Sox so recently, Boston has plenty of direct knowledge of Martin’s health, and the team is therefore ideally suited to perhaps manage Martin’s usage in order to keep him as healthy as possible in 2026. A one-year deal for Martin on a modest salary wouldn’t represent much of a risk for the Red Sox, and the upside is high if Martin can stay off the IL and keep posting his usual numbers. The Sox are known to be looking for experienced bullpen help, and Cotillo reported yesterday that other former Boston hurler Justin Wilson is another reunion candidate, plus left-hander Danny Coulombe drawing interest.
Now this is a David Stearns kind of signing.
Twins, you said to build around Pablo Lopez, Joe Ryan, and Bryron Buxton? Sign Martin or reunite with Coulombe!!!
Steps To Rebuilding Twins Bullpen:
1. Sign Chris Martin 1 year, 8 million
2. Sign Paul Sewald 1 year, 5 million
3. Sign Eli Morgan 1 year, 1 million
4. Sign Tyler Kinley 1 year, 6 million
Total: 20 million
Or is it too much?
For the Twins? Probably
Sir, why are you so concerned about the Twins bullpen?? I think you have your own fish to fry with Espada and Brown. Like putting together a starting rotation after Hunter Brown.
I have nothing against Joe Espada but think Dana Brown is horrible.
He won’t be back in Texas. The Rangers are going to play with the roof open next year because they can’t afford air conditioning.
I live in Houston and it’s hot in the summer and I know Dallas is too from my trips there. It’s going to be hot either way, roof open or not, unless they find a way to afford AC…
I also heard they were replacing the infield dirt with brown carpet. They had a garage sale last weekend where they sold the water hose, rake and chalk line marker.
Next thing you know they change the batter’s circle paintings with advertisements. Yikes I feel bad for the infielders, hope they don’t get burned.
When you try your best but you don’t succeed…
Didn’t Chris Martin play with Gwyneth? They used to dress up in stripes, all Yellow
They named their kid Apple.
I thought (Chris) Riley Martin would be pitching for the Biavians, managed by O-Qua Tangin Wann.
Don’t they hang out with Taylor Swift at the Chiefs games ??
Not any longer. Or at least next September!
I thought Cold Play was touring next year?!
This is the reply I came to see. Thank you
They’re washed. Time to change careers and hope a good pitching coach can fix you.
Just a guy who makes every bullpen he’s in better.
You wanna sign a 40 year old, diagnosed with TOS 3 months ago, go for it.
Hal – Last year he also missed time because of anxiety issues.
That would make a team nervous.
reds – I’d be really curious to know how his wife feels about him wanting to keep playing. The whole point of him supposedly finishing his career in Arlington was to be close to his family and spent more time with them. Now he’s not only going to continue playing, but he’s even willing to play for a team that is based on the other side of the country?
I hope it doesn’t turn into a bad decision like it did for Brady.
Mr. Martin saw what relievers are making this year and figured he could cash in one more time.
I was planning to catch in 1996 too. But teams had other plans…
Well “nobody said it was easy” to walk away from what you’ve spent your entire life doing.
Can he operate the kiss cam at a game next year?
I liked Martin when he was with the Sox but would be very wary about bringing him back now on anything but a 1 year low base/high incentive contract
Come back to the Braves
I’d take Martin back with the Sox…..at the right price. BP depth is important too. As long as it’s a 1 year, reasonable $$$ , I’m in.