Chris Martin’s Retirement Pause Puts Red Sox Reunion Back in Play

Key Highlights

• Even though his journey hasn’t been straightforward, he’s become a dependable late-inning pitcher who most fanbases end up falling in love with by the time his tenure with their team is up. Boston fans already know what Martin can do. He pitched for the Red Sox in 2023 and 2024, at ages 36 and 37, and did better than many expected for a reliever his age. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementOver those two years, he threw 95.2 innings across 100 games, with a 2.16 ERA and 2.60 FIP.
• He wasn’t the primary closer, yet closed out 21 games while earning 5 saves.
• Had the Red Sox pushed him into that role, no one would have batted an eye. In 2023, he finished 12th in Cy Young voting, his only time receiving that honor. After leaving Boston, Martin went back to Arlington for what he expected to be his last season, pitching for Texas in 2025.
• He played in 49 games and threw 41.2 innings, finishing with a 2.98 ERA and 3.58 FIP.
• He struck out 43 batters and walked only 8, staying true to his usual style.