Pitcher Nick Martinez is reportedly accepting the qualifying offer and will return to Cincinnati
Former Ranger great Nick Martinez is accepting the qualifying offer he was tendered by the Cincinnati Reds, per reports. As a result, he will return to Cincinnati on a one year deal for $21.05 million.
Martinez, 34, opted out of his multi-year deal with the San Diego Padres last winter and signed a deal with the Cincinnati Reds that gave him the ability to opt out after the 2024 season. Martinez put up a 3.10 ERA in 142 innings while splitting the year between the rotation and the bullpen.
I was surprised that the Reds tendered the qualifying offer to Martinez, and it seemed to be a given that he would accept, as he wasn’t going to get a $20M AAV in the open market, and the draft pick attached to him would depress his market. Martinez will now return to Cincy for 2025, and be able to re-enter the free agent market next offseason.