*Photo from Sports Illustrated*
More pitching is heading to Ohio. The Cincinnati Reds and RHP Nick Martinez have agreed to a two year, $26 million contract, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan. The Reds have confirmed the news.
Though the deal for Martinez is for two years, he has an opt out after year one of the deal. He's set to make $14 million in 2024 and $12 million in 2025 if he doesn't exercise his opt out. Martinez became a free agent after opting out of the final two years and $16 million on his contract with the San Diego Padres.
Martinez brings the ability to both start and relieve games for the Reds, serving in both roles with the Padres, having started 19 games and come out of the bullpen in 91 over two years in San Diego. He will enter spring training preparing to be a starter and compete for a spot in the Reds rotation.
Last season, Martinez was a dependable arm in a swingman role for the Padres. He ended the year with a 3.43 ERA, 3.92 FIP, and 1.260 WHIP, picking up one save over 110 1/3 innings, starting 9 games and making 54 relief appearances.
With 4 year stint in Japan mixed in, Martinez has pitched for the Padres and Texas Rangers over 6 years in the majors, debuting in 2014. He has a 4.31 ERA, 1.389 WHIP, and 4.95 FIP to his name, making 87 starts and 111 relief appearances over 632 innings, picking up 9 saves. He's allowed one run in 11 innings pitched in the playoffs, appearing in 7 games, all in relief.
Martinez said of getting the chance to be a starter that "It shows a big commitment. They’ve been watching me closely. The only times I’ve thrown against Cincy was out of the bullpen. They did their research and saw what I can do as a starter. I think it shows volumes of how much they believe in me."
The Reds starting rotation has Hunter Greene, Nick Lodolo, Connor Phillips, Graham Ashcraft, Brandon Williamson, and Andrew Abbott already in the mix. Martinez brings a veteran face, as none of those players have more than two years of service time in the major leagues.
So far this offseason, the Reds have signed Martinez to compete for a rotation spot and added Emilio Pagan to their bullpen as they try to build off a strong 2023 campaign that saw them fighting for a playoff spot until the end of the regular season, although they ultimately fell short.
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