Nick Martinez Becomes Free Agent After Option Declined
The Rays right-hander is now a free agent after his mutual option for 2027 was declined, with the club saying it would like to keep him.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Baseball
Nick Martinez became a free agent after his mutual option for 2027 was declined, following a season in which he was a stabilizing force in the Tampa Bay Rays rotation. The Rays advanced to the World Series, and Rays president of baseball operations Erik Neander said the club would like to keep Martinez but "we'll see what happens."
Why it matters
Martinez and Freddy Peralta, two-fifths of the Rays' season-ending rotation, are now free agents, leaving the club with a notable rotation question for 2027. For St. Petersburg-area fans following the Rays, the decision shapes how the front office rebuilds its starting pitching depth heading into the offseason.
Martinez's mutual option was declined, making him one of two of the five-man rotation's veterans now on the open market alongside Freddy Peralta. Drew Rasmussen is due $20 million next year, while Shane McClanahan enters his final season under club control.
The players
Nick Martinez
Martinez is a right-handed starting pitcher who had a career year and was a stabilizing presence in the Tampa Bay Rays rotation.
Erik Neander
Neander is the president of baseball operations for the Tampa Bay Rays, overseeing the club's player development and roster decisions.
Tampa Bay Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays are a Major League Baseball franchise based in St. Petersburg, Florida, that advanced to the World Series this season.
The details
Reliever Edwin Uceta underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder last month and spent the entire season on the injured list. The procedure was described as a "cleaning up of the joint," with no more extensive repairs required, and Uceta is expected to fully recover but will not be ready to pitch until June at the earliest.
Timeline
Last month: Edwin Uceta underwent arthroscopic shoulder surgery.
Tuesday: Erik Neander held the season-ending press conference, and Rays staff met about development plans for returning position players.
This offseason: Martinez is expected to seek a larger salary or multiyear deal.
Spring Training: Drew Rasmussen's trade candidacy ends if he reports in a Rays uniform.
June: Uceta's earliest possible return to pitching.
Season Trajectory
The Rays' rotation decisions arrive after a World Series run built on a pitching staff that relied on developing arms like Rasmussen, McClanahan and Pepiot. How the front office replaces Martinez and Peralta will shape whether Tampa Bay can sustain its competitive window in the American League.
Martinez's departure or return will directly change the Rays' 2027 starting rotation and the pitchers fantasy managers can rely on. Rasmussen's $20 million salary and McClanahan's final year of club control also affect how much payroll flexibility the team has to reinforce the staff.
The takeaway
The Rays' rotation rebuild will depend on whether younger arms like Rasmussen, McClanahan, Jax, Seymour and Pepiot can absorb the innings left by Martinez and Peralta. Watching how the front office handles contract talks this offseason will show how much the club is willing to invest to keep its World Series run going.
What happens next
Martinez and Peralta's free agency will move forward this offseason, and Drew Rasmussen's trade candidacy ends if he reports to Spring Training in a Rays uniform.
Further reading
For more on the club's pitching outlook, see our Baseball coverage.
