SAN ANTONIO — Both closer Kenley Jansen and setup man Chris Martin, Boston’s two top relievers the past two seasons, became free agents last week.
There’s zero chance the 37-year-old Jansen re-signs with Boston after teammates were disappointed with him for skipping the final series of the year to return home early.
But the Red Sox appear to have some interest in bringing back the 38-year-old Martin who posted a 2.16 ERA in 100 outings in 2023-24 combined.
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Martin is expected to seek only a one-year deal because he plans to retire after the 2025 season.
“Obviously it’s pretty clear the value he had,” chief baseball officer Craig Breslow said at the GM Meetings on Wednesday. “We saw that when he was pitching and when we didn’t have him available to pitch. And so we know we have some work to do in kind of rebuilding the bullpen and obviously could see there being a fit there.”
Martin, who missed some time in 2024 with right elbow inflammation, walked just 11 batters in 95 ⅔ innings with Boston.
“He’s earned the right to get here (to free agency) and we need to figure out how all the pieces come together but guys who can go months and months between walks (are valuable),” Breslow said.
Read more here about how Breslow wants to improve the bullpen.
