Rays predicted to let ALDS Game 3 starting pitcher walk in free agency
· Yahoo Sports
Rays predicted to let ALDS Game 3 starting pitcher walk in free agency originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Visit esporist.com for more information.
The Tampa Bay Rays need to win one of the next three possible games to advance to the ALCS.
To this point, Tampa Bay's pitching staff has shut down the New York Yankees.
Drew Rasmussen took a no-hitter into the eighth inning in Game 1, and Freddy Peralta held the Yankees to one run in his 4.2 innings in Game 2.
Tonight's starter is a nine-year veteran who spent four years pitching in Japan from 2018-21.
Nick Martinez had a 4.0 bWAR season in 2024 with the Cincinnati Reds, but this year might have been the right-hander's best.
"Freddy Peralta probably ends up landing the bigger contract given his age and track record, but Martinez is the team's top free agent based on this year's production," Bleacher Report's Joel Reuter wrote. "
"The 36-year-old went 15-6 with a 3.10 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 109 strikeouts in 180.0 innings, and both ends of his $20 million mutual option might get declined given Tampa Bay's financial limitations," he added.
MORE: Why Dodgers told Andy Pages to stop challenging pitches after Game 1 mistake
Given Tampa Bay's history of keeping their payroll on the lower side, Martinez may have to look elsewhere for a new contract.
"The Rays don't pay for a career year at 36. They look for the next candidate to deliver one," Reuter wrote.
Martinez made 31 starts and threw 180 innings in 2026, giving the Rays plenty of quality outings and excellent command.
More MLB news:
- White Sox reportedly have 'no urgency' to sign Munetaka Murakami to an extension
- How Mets, Dodgers and Guardians all made same brutal trade mistake amid MVP races
- Brewers' Jacob Misiorowski made MLB playoff history three times with 104+ mph pitches
- How White Sox's Grant Taylor made rare MLB history with four-inning save
- How Yankees' Austin Wells made MLB history not seen in 46 years with base-running blunder