TAMPA - The Tampa Bay Rays declined mutual contract options on pitcher Nick Martinez and outfielder Cedric Mullins, making both veterans free agents following the club’s unexpected run to an American League championship.
The Rays paid Martinez a $4 million buyout on top of the $9 million he earned this season rather than exercising a $20 million mutual option for next year. MLB Network insider Jon Heyman reported that Martinez had also declined his end of the option. Martinez, 36, is expected to draw multiyear offers on the open market after finishing the regular season 15-6 with a 3.10 ERA in 180 innings over 31 starts, then allowing just five runs in 16 innings over four postseason appearances.
Manager Kevin Cash made clear the right-hander’s value extended well beyond his statistics. “We were a better team when Nick was on the mound because of how much support that he had from his teammates,” Cash said, noting that Tampa Bay won 25 of the 35 games in which Martinez pitched. Cash credited Martinez with orchestrating team dinners, card games, and the clubhouse culture that carried the Rays through their postseason run, adding: “When you get the name [El] Presidente, that’s for good reason.”
Martinez, speaking late Wednesday night after Game 5, stopped short of committing to a return but left no doubt about his affection for the organization. “I love it here,” he said. “It’s been great. Love the guys. Love the organization. So we’ll see what happens.”
Mullins, who made 502 plate appearances across 137 games and started 122 in center field, hit .205 with a .628 OPS, 15 home runs, 48 RBIs and 21 stolen bases during the regular season. He lost his starting role to Jonny DeLuca in the postseason, making six appearances off the bench - though he did contribute a home run and a stolen base in the playoffs.
The Rays are expected to deploy DeLuca in center field next season, with Jacob Melton as another option and top prospect Theo Gillen - ranked No. 2 in the organization and No. 16 in MLB - a possibility later in the year. Chandler Simpson, Victor Mesa Jr. and Ryan Vilade are also set to return to the outfield mix.
The club faces two additional option decisions before Monday’s deadline: a $20 million club option on pitcher Drew Rasmussen - the highest single-season salary the Rays have ever considered paying a player - and a $3.1 million club option on shortstop Taylor Walls, who will remain under team control regardless of the outcome.