ST. PETERSBURG — Nick Martinez, the veteran pitcher credited as a stabilizing force in Tampa Bay’s rotation during the Rays’ run to the World Series, entered free agency after the club declined his mutual option for next season, President of Baseball Operations Erik Neander announced Tuesday at his season-ending press conference.
Martinez’s career year — both on and off the mound — positions him to pursue a larger salary or a multiyear deal this offseason, leaving the Rays facing a significant decision about whether to bring back one of the architects of their AL pennant-winning clubhouse chemistry.
“Exceptional year between the lines, and however good you’d like to describe that and declare that, he really was even better off of it. That is something that, no matter what happens, Nick’s impact will stay with a lot of these guys,” Neander said. “When you’re as close as we were to getting over the hump, the Nicks, the Freddy Peraltas — you wouldn’t mind running it back with those guys, yeah, without question. So we’ll see what happens.”
Martinez and fellow free agent Freddy Peralta represent two-fifths of the Rays’ season-ending rotation. The club’s pitching outlook is further complicated by Drew Rasmussen, who is considered a trade candidate despite Neander’s comments to the contrary, as he is due $20 million next year. Left-hander Shane McClanahan could also be dealt, entering his final season of club control before free agency.
Neander said the Rays feel good about a potential five-man rotation of Rasmussen, McClanahan, Griffin Jax, Ian Seymour and a fully healthy Ryan Pepiot, who threw a bullpen session last month to complete his rehab program. “We do like the five we have, and I think being in that position going into this offseason is certainly helpful,” Neander said. “If we can strengthen them further, we absolutely will.”
Reliever Edwin Uceta, who spent the entire season on the injured list after reporting to Spring Training with a shoulder issue, underwent arthroscopic surgery last month. Neander described the procedure as a “cleaning up of the joint” with no more extensive repairs required, but said Uceta will not be ready to pitch until June at the earliest. “Cleaned it up, and we’ll give it another go next year,” Neander said.
Neander declined to discuss specifics of any potential contract extension with AL MVP finalist Junior Caminero, but left little doubt about the third baseman’s standing within the organization. “He’s as critical a player to our success as we have,” Neander said. “There’s some players we never, ever want to let go of, and as we go along, hopefully that’s how it plays out.”
Neander framed the entire offseason around the club’s World Series appearance, saying the staff was already meeting Tuesday morning on development plans for returning position players. “We had a World Series-appearing, AL pennant-winning team and a lot of it is coming back. And the entirety of our focus is to make sure that those guys are as ready as they can possibly be for 2027, and that’s it,” he said. The Rays open Spring Training in St. Petersburg ahead of the 2027 season.