Red Sox righty Chris Martin said last July that he plans to pitch for as long as a team wants him.
“I’m going to play for as long as they let me — as long as I can still do it,” Martin said.
Fourteen months later, he has a new perspective on his career.
“To be 100% honest, I think next year will be my last year,” Martin said.
The Red Sox setup man, who turned 38 on June 2, plans to pitch in 2025 but he said he’s 95% sure that will be it for him. He is eligible for free agency after the 2024 season.
It’s been a difficult season for Martin. He dealt with an injured left shoulder (non-pitching arm) that affected his delivery during the first half. He spent time on the injured list in June because of anxiety. He then spent July 5-Aug. 7 on the injured list with right elbow inflammation.
All that might make anyone his age decide to retire after this season. But Martin realized he still had the itch for one more year when he was watching the Red Sox play in Los Angeles against the Dodgers after the All-Star break (July 19-21). Martin (dealing with his elbow injury) was at home watching.
“I saw the guys playing. They were in LA. I don’t know, I still had that like ‘man, I need to be there’ feeling. So I think I don’t want that to happen — retiring and then the season starts and I get the itch to play again, which is pretty normal.”
Martin said being home with his family also is important to him.
“We have a fourth (child) on the way,” Martin said. “Obviously I want to be there for them. And they’re getting to the ages where they’re starting to play sports. I’m getting older. Obviously 40 years old and playing baseball is going to be hard on me mentally and physically. I think that probably will be the cutoff. We’ll see. I don’t want to say 100%. I’d say 95% that next year will be my last year. I just want to be completely focused these last 11 days here and then if the opportunity comes next year — a team’s still gotta want me so we’ll see.”
There obviously still will be teams wanting to sign Martin who has continued to pitch at a high level this year. He has a 3.43 ERA, 2.79 FIP and 1.09 WHIP in 40 outings (39 ⅓ innings). He has averaged 10.5 strikeouts and just 0.5 walks per nine innings.
“Obviously I’ve been through the process a couple of times now with the same agency and they’ve done good for me,” Martin said. “I trust them and just kind of let them do their thing.”
Putting himself in the best spot to have a healthy and productive final full season is important to him.
“I want to make sure I can get through a full season,” Martin said. “I don’t just want to sign to sign. I want to make sure I can mentally and physically be ready for a full season.”
