Texas Rangers sign RHP Nick Martinez to $26M contract: Sources confirm

The Cincinnati Reds have reached a two-year, $26 million contract agreement with right-hander Nick Martinez, with an opt-out option after the first season, sources confirmed to ESPN. This deal comes as part of the Reds’ efforts to strengthen their pitching staff in anticipation of vying for the National League Central title next season.

After Martinez opted out of the final two years of his San Diego contract, the Padres declined their two-year, $32 million club option on Martinez, leading to his move to the Reds. Last season, he excelled in 54 games as a bullpen pitcher and stood out in nine starts, recording an impressive 2.32 ERA in 42⅔ innings.

Sources indicate that Martinez’s deal, pending a physical, will involve earning $14 million in 2024 and the potential for free agency the following year. Should he choose to remain with the Reds, he stands to receive $12 million in 2025.

Earlier on Wednesday, Cincinnati also secured Emilio Pagan on a one-year, $8 million contract, which includes an $8 million player option for 2025. This move further strengthens the Reds’ bullpen, complementing the talents of closer Alexis Diaz, and pitchers Lucas Sims, Ian Gibaut, and Sam Moll, all of whom demonstrated impressive performance with low 3s ERAs this year.

As experienced contenders in the NL, boasting an admirable 82-80 record, the Reds placed just short of a wild-card berth. With a young, formidable lineup, including Elly De La Cruz, Matt McLain, Noelvi Marte, Christian Encarnacion-Strand, Spencer Steer, Will Benson, Jonathan India, Tyler Stephenson, and TJ Friedl, fortifying their pitching staff was a priority for Cincinnati.

Martinez is expected to join a rotation comprising promising young talents such as Hunter Greene, Graham Ashcraft, Nick Lodolo, Andrew Abbott, and Brandon Williamson. His return to the MLB following four successful seasons in Japan, marked by a 1.60 ERA in 140⅔ innings, has seen him develop enhanced fastball velocity and a top-tier Vulcan-grip changeup acquired during his time in Japan.

With a performance of 10-8, a 3.45 ERA, and 201 strikeouts against 81 walks in 216⅔ innings over the past two seasons in Major League Baseball, Martinez’s reintegration to the Reds is highly anticipated.