Rays Should Already Be Thinking About a New Nick Martinez Contract

As the Tampa Bay Rays prepare to defend their American League East division lead over teams such as the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox over the next month before the postseason, it's still never too early to think about what this team could look like next season. 

After an impressive MLB trade deadline that brought in players who have some control and one of the best farm systems in baseball, Erik Neander and the Rays' front office will certainly have some decisions to make. They will decide whether they intend to keep some of their veteran players who are pending free agents this upcoming winter. 

One of those players is having the best season of their career. 

Rays pitcher Nick Martinez, who just appeared in his first All-Star game in July, will hit the market this offseason. And earlier this week, MLB.com ranked him as the ninth top free agent who will hit the hot stove following the season. 

"Martinez is in the midst of the best year of his career, going 13-4 with a 2.93 ERA through 25 starts while making the first All-Star team of his career. Martinez doesn't strike out many hitters (87 in 147 2/3 innings), but his 1.3 walks per nine innings are the lowest in the league," says MLB writer Mark Feinsand. "After accepting a qualifying offer from the Reds in 2025, Martinez signed a one-year, $13 million deal with the Rays this season, placing a successful bet on himself. His bounce-back season should result in a better contract this offseason, though at age 36, he will likely be looking at a two- or three-year contract."

It certainly was a great one-year deal, by the way, to give Martinez a chance to prove himself, but now the question is: do you think he can do it again? 

Although Martinez is getting older, he's coming off the best season he's ever had in his career. If Tampa Bay is truly in a championship window, a two-year contract should certainly be in consideration to bring him back to help round out this stacked starting pitching rotation. 

Pitchers such as Drew Rasmussen and Shane McClanahan have certainly stepped up in big ways, and even Griffin Jax and Ian Seymour, who have turned from reliever to starter, have also helped round out the starting rotation. 

But if Martinez is a reasonable contract, there should be no doubt about bringing him back for another go.