The Texas Rangers have agreed to a two year, $4 million deal with relief pitcher Chris Martin, according to Ken Rosenthal on Twitter. Rosenthal says the deal includes a potential $550K per year in incentives based on games finished.
Martin, 31, is an Arlington native who attended Arlington High School and was drafted in the 21st round of the 2005 draft by the Rockies out of McLennan Community College in Waco. Martin appeared in the majors in 2014 and 2015 with the Rockies and the New York Yankees, putting up a 6.19 ERA in 36.1 IP, albeit with a 3.71 FIP. Martin has spent the past two seasons pitching in the Japanese League for the Nippon Ham Fighters, putting up a 1.12 ERA in 88.1 IP, with 91 strikeouts, 13 walks and 4 home runs.
Martin will presumably be in a middle relief role, along with fellow JPL alum Tony Barnette, who the Rangers re-signed to a one year, $1.5 million deal earlier this season. This seems to give the Rangers six “locks” for the Opening Day pen, with Martin and Barnette joining Alex Claudio, Jake Diekman, Keone Kela and Matt Bush in the bullpen.