The Texas Rangers bullpen makeover is entering its final and most important stages and on Monday night, it took a huge step towards completion.

Chris Martin and the Rangers came to an agreement on a one-year contract bringing him back to Arlington for the 2025 season.

Matt Festa has been designated for assignment to make room for Martin on the 40-man roster. Last season Festa had an ERA of 4.37 in 22.2 innings.

Martin will return to the Rangers after pitching for Texas in 2018 and 2019 before he was traded to the Atlanta Braves in exchange for Kolby Allard.

Way back in 2004, Martin was drafted out of Arlington HS in the 18th round by the Detroit Tigers after growing up in the metroplex.

Last season with the Red Sox, Martin had an ERA of 3.45 in 44.1 IP. In 2023, Martin had just a 1.05 ERA in 51.1 IP.

Combined Martin’s 2.16 ERA in his two seasons with Boston is second-best in all of baseball behind Cleveland’s Emmanuel Clase (1.90).

Flash forward to 2025 and Martin will likely slide into the Rangers bullpen as the 8th inning guy, a role he is familiar with during his time with Boston.

Martin will have heavy shoes to fill after David Robertson just posted an ERA of 3.00 in 72 innings within that role last season.

Signing Martin pushes the Rangers bullpen rebuild nearly to the edge needing just one more piece.

Texas will now likely solely focus its hunt on a closer which has been a slow-developing market this winter.

Bruce Bochy and Chris Young have expressed the want to bring back Kirby Yates who remains on the market.

Yates had an All-Star season with the Rangers in 2024 putting up a 1.17 ERA with 33 saves in 61.2 IP.

If not Yates, the Rangers will have to pivot to either Tanner Scott who will demand a large contract, or to the second tier of the closer market.