Height
6'1"
Weight
200 lbs
Age
35
College
Fordham
Draft
2011, Rd 18, #564
Experience
8 yrs
Bats/Throws
L/R
Fan Verdict
Grade this player:
Career StatsC
| Year | Team | GP | ERA | W-L | K | WHIP | IP | SV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career |  | 282 | 4.1313024 | 48-59 | 677 | 1.2941177 | 0.0 | 9 |
Current Contract
Length
1 year
Total Value
$13.0M
Guaranteed
$7.8M
AAV
$13.0M/yr
Contract Value Index (CVI)
The Rays' one-year, $13M commitment to Nick Martinez earns a D+ CVI, representing a puzzling overpay for a franchise typically celebrated for extracting maximum value from every dollar spent. While Martinez has evolved into an above-average starter who can capably anchor the back of a rotation, paying $13M annually for that production level contradicts Tampa Bay's usual market efficiency, especially on a short-term deal that offers no long-term cost certainty. The contract becomes even more questionable when considering the Rays' perpetual need to allocate resources carefully across their entire roster while competing in the brutal AL East, where this money could have been better deployed across multiple impact pieces or younger talent with higher upside. Martinez's age and injury history make this a high-risk proposition for a team that typically targets players in their prime or ascending phases, not veterans commanding premium starter money on prove-it deals. For an organization that has mastered the art of finding rotation depth at bargain prices, this signing feels uncharacteristically desperate and misaligned with their proven development pipeline.
Fan & Media Sentiment
Nick Martinez, a starting pitcher for the Rays, carries mixed-to-positive public sentiment based on their solid contributions. His B+ performance grade positions him as a solid contributor at the starting pitcher position. While he has yet to earn major individual awards, his contributions to the Rays keep him in the conversation. On a contract worth $13.0M/year, the mid-range salary creates reasonable expectations for solid contributions. Fan opinion is divided, with some appreciating his potential while others point to inconsistencies that temper enthusiasm. At 35, he is in the twilight of his career, and fan sentiment will largely hinge on whether he can defy the aging curve and remain productive.
Recent Games
| Date | OPP | Result | AB | H | R | HR | RBI | BB | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun, 4/5 | @ MIN | W 4-1 | - | - | - | 0 | - | - | - |
Transaction History
News & Buzz
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