One of the things the Red Sox need this season to compete in what should be a competitive American League East is a solid bullpen.
The team has moved on from Kenley Jansen as their closer and added flame-thrower Aroldis Chapman, and they hope to get a full season from former White Sox closer Liam Hendriks, a three-time All-Star and two-time AL Reliever of the Year in 2021 and 2022. Hendriks has been rehabbing for the better part of two years after elbow issues and subsequent Tommy John surgery, but he hopes to be ready to go by spring training.
Manager Alex Cora has also indicated that Garrett Whitlock will return to a bullpen role next season. Still, there is work to be done for a Red Sox bullpen that finished 26th in both bullpen ERA and bullpen WHIP in MLB last season.
Chris Martin remains on the free-agent market. Despite his advanced age, 38 years old, and a slight dip in velocity last year, Martin was effective for the Red Sox. He finished with a 3.43 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP in 45 games despite various injuries. This is coming off a 2023 season in which the righty compiled a 1.05 ERA and a 1.01 WHIP for the Red Sox in 55 games.
Red Sox have a clear, viable option to add to the bullpen in former reliever Chris Martin
Recently, Martin sat down with Rob Bradford of WEEI and the "Baseball Isn't Boring" podcast and made it clear that he plans to pitch this season and that the Red Sox are one of his top destinations. Moreover, Martin admitted that he was seeking just a one-year deal at this point in his career.
Morning podcast: @bradfo is talking with free agent Chris Martin (and talking about all those other free agents who also are looking for a team)
— Baseball Isn’t Boring (@BBisntBoring) December 13, 2024
Listen: https://t.co/b1GeRC7hl1 pic.twitter.com/QIhit8F0zw
Martin certainly comes with a 'buyer beware' tag at this point in his career. He will not approach 60 games in relief and has dropped some in velocity. What he will do, however, is get batters out in high-leverage situations late in games. His track record in that area is as good as anyone on the Red Sox over the last two seasons.
His asking price, just one year, will not tax the Red Sox bottom line and fits in quite nicely with the team's "win-now but protect the future" approach. Martin can also serve as an excellent veteran bullpen presence to help nurture some of the younger members of the Red Sox staff. A reasonable asking price and a desire to return should make this one a no-brainer. The Sox should bring Martin back into the fold at a marginal risk.