Red Sox Reliever Sees Final MLB Season Coming In Very Near Future

Boston Red Sox reliever Chris Martin can see the finish line.

Martin currently is at the end of his ninth MLB season -- he also spent two seasons pitching in Japan and played the last two campaigns with the Red Sox -- and he doesn't think his career will go on much longer.

"To be 100% honest, I think next year will be my last year," Martin told reporters Wednesday, per MassLive's Christopher Smith.

Martin put together a career season in 2023 with the Red Sox and was one of the best relievers in all of baseball when he compiled a 4-1 record with a sterling 1.05 ERA in 55 appearances (51 1/3 innings).

The veteran right-hander didn't have the same success this season. Martin, who turned 38 in June, still posted a respectable 2-1 record with a 3.43 ERA and a 1.093 WHIP. Injuries derailed Martin this season as he landed on the injured list twice, once for anxiety and the other time for right elbow inflammation, which caused him to miss almost the entire month of July and the first week of August.

It's unknown if Martin's potential final season next year comes with the Red Sox. Martin, who said spending more time with his family is a big factor in his retirement consideration, is a free agent following this season.

"We have a fourth (child) on the way," Martin said. "Obviously I want to be there for them. And they're getting to the ages where they're starting to play sports. I'm getting older. Obviously 40 years old and playing baseball is going to be hard on me mentally and physically. I think that probably will be the cutoff. We'll see. I don't want to say 100%. I’d say 95% that next year will be my last year. I just want to be completely focused these last 11 days here and then if the opportunity comes next year -- a team's still gotta want me so we'll see."

The desire to keep playing isn't completely gone for Martin, though. He realized that while on the injured list and had to watch from afar as the Red Sox started the second half of the season without him.

"I saw the guys playing. They were in LA. I don't know, I still had that like, 'Man, I need to be there' feeling," Martin said. "So I think I don't want that to happen -- retiring and then the season starts and I get the itch to play again, which is pretty normal."