Nick Martinez and Cedric Mullins Become Free Agents After Rays Decline Options

Nick Martinez and Cedric Mullins became free agents Friday after the Tampa Bay Rays declined their mutual options, opening two veteran roster questions immediately after the club’s World Series appearance.

Martinez’s contract carried a $20 million option for 2027 with a $4 million buyout. Mullins had a $10 million option with a $500,000 buyout. The two decisions therefore carry combined buyouts of $4.5 million.

Martinez, 36, enters the market after going 15–6 with a 3.10 ERA in 31 regular-season starts. His 180 innings included 109 strikeouts against only 26 walks, with a 1.09 WHIP. It was his first major league season working exclusively as a starter. He allowed 22 home runs and completed one game in 2026.

The right-hander also made four postseason appearances, three as a starter, and finished 1–1 with a 2.81 ERA across 16 innings. That included starting World Series Game 1 and later working in relief during Game 4.

Mullins’ year presented a different evaluation. The 32-year-old center fielder hit .205/.284/.344 in 137 games, producing 15 home runs, 48 RBIs and 21 stolen bases. He finished with 90 hits in 439 at-bats.

His defensive contributions were stronger than that batting line. J.P. Hoornstra’s Friday report credited Mullins with six Defensive Runs Saved and 11 Outs Above Average, while noting his reduced postseason playing time.

Mullins had five playoff plate appearances and two hits, including a home run against Cleveland in the American League Championship Series. He now heads to free agency for a second consecutive offseason after signing a one-year agreement with Tampa Bay.

A mutual option requires both the player and team to agree to another season. Friday’s decisions send Martinez and Mullins into the market with different selling points: an effective full-season starter’s workload and a veteran center fielder’s defense and speed.