Breaking Free Agent Signing: Versatile RHP Nick Martinez Chooses Next Destination

Nick Martinez has been an under-the-radar arm on the baseball free agent market this winter. He was also one of the last viable, dependable pitchers on the market. He's now found a home with the Tampa Bay Rays, who've signed him to a deal for 2026.

Rays add some rotation help with Nick Martinez pic.twitter.com/Xa4fsy68vZ
— Talkin' Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) February 9, 2026

It's a one-year contract worth $13 million.

The 35-year-old swingman joined the Cincinnati Reds in 2024 and went 10-7 with a 3.10 ERA with 16 starts among his 42 appearances.

In 2025, he had a couple of nice runs as a starter in the first half of the season, then moved to the bullpen for the second half, where he allowed just four earned runs in his last 15 innings pitched.

Nick Martinez the last 2 seasons:

308 IP
3.83 ERA
3.80 FIP
1.12 WHIP
5.5 fWARpic.twitter.com/2wjYjHOppS
— Jake (@TBRaysCentral) February 9, 2026

After spending a few years in Japan re-inventing himself on the mound from 2018-2021, he came back to the majors as a solid swing option, and since returning, Martinez has a 3.67 ERA in 525 innings (131 relief appearances & 61 starts) across four seasons with San Diego and Cincinnati. He's averaged 131.1 innings pitched per year over that time.

Going into his 9th MLB season, Martinez will add some nice depth to the Rays' pitching staff. For now, he'll slot in as a starter, joining Drew Rasmussen, Shane McLanahan, Ryan Pepiot, and Steven Matz.