The Rangers re-sign Veteran Chris Martin

At 5PM Tuesday night Jeff Passan reported that the Rangers were in agreement with Chris Martin on a one year contract.

Martin posted a 2.98 ERA over 49 appearances in 2025. In the first half of the season he posted a 2.20 ERA and a 5.59 ERA in 9.2 innings in the second half that was riddled with injuries. Martin had a good year for the Rangers, and was their set up man in the 8th inning where he had an ERA of 3.16 in 25.2 innings, and in he throw a total of 9 innings in the 9th innings where he posted an ERA of 2.00.

Chris Martin fits the criteria that the Rangers like, pitchers that fill up the strike zone. In his career Martin has a 3.3 BB% in his career, so he definitely fills up the zone. His stuff also grade out well, he had an ERA+ of 124 last. All of his pitches also grade above 100 on Fangraphs Stf+ charts. Martin's primary pitch is a cutter, he also features a 4-seam fastball, Splitter, Sinker, and a sweeper every once in a while. His best strike out pitch in 2025 was his splitter, which he got 38.9 K% and opponents hit .200 against it. His cutter did get hit around a little bit this year, opponents hit .310 against it. It looks like when opponents did get hits against the pitch Martin left it in the center of the plate. In contrast, when batters swung and missed he got it on the corners of the plate. If the Rangers and Chris Martin can cut down the amount of cutters that end up in the middle of the plate he will be very valuable for the Rangers, especially in high-leverage situations. Even at 39 years old Chris Martin is still a good pitcher and can be effective in the big leagues.

Chris Martin is definitely a good add to the Rangers bullpen, and will be used in high-leverage situations. The Rangers bullpen is starting to take shape now with three relief pitcher additions. Right now in the bullpen the Rangers have Robert Garcia, Chris Martin, Cole Winn, Alexis Diaz, Tyler Alexander, and most likely Luis Curvelo (in no particular order). I would still like to see the Rangers add at least two more bullpen arms.

With the addition of Chris Martin, the Rangers "remain engaged" on the bullpen market as the winter progresses. They are still looking to add a starting pitcher, a right-handed bat, and more bullpen arm(s).

Some arms I would like to see the Rangers possibly add are Hunter Harvey, Tyler Kinley, Taylor Rogers, Danny Coulombe, and Shawn Armstrong.