The Cincinnati Reds have signed RHP Nick Martinez to a 2 year, $26M contract which includes an opt out clause after the first season. While the deal is still pending a physical, the 33 year old will reportedly be paid $14M in 2024, and an additional $12M in 2025 if he opts into the 2nd year.
Martinez spent the past two seasons with the San Diego Padres, going 6-4 in 2023 with 106 K’s across 110.1IP. His 3.43 ERA and 1.26 WHIP were both career bests as the versatile righty oscillated between the bullpen and starting pitching roles last season.
Across 9 starts with the Padres, he recorded a 2.32 ERA over 42.2IP, and figures to remain a starter when he arrives in Cincinnati. The Reds, who boast one of the youngest lineups in Major League Baseball, have big aspirations for 2024 after finishing with an 82-80 record and narrowly missing out on the playoffs.
With young talent peppered throughout their roster, Martinez will be expected to provide some veteran leadership to a clubhouse skewing closer to age 20 than it does age 30 next spring. Hunter Greene, Graham Ashcraft, Andrew Abbott, Brandon Williamson, and Nick Lodolo are some of the names that will be vying for spots in the Reds rotation next year alongside the former Japanese league star.
Cincinnati also fortified their bullpen Wednesday agreeing to terms with reliever Emilio Pagan on a 2 year $16M contract as well. The 32 year old is set to undergo a physical on Thursday before his deal becomes official.
Pagan went 5-2 with a 2.99 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 65 K’s across 69.1IP for the Minnesota Twins last season. Much like Martinez, Pagan joins a talented but inexperienced group of relievers in the Reds bullpen. Cincinnati is expected to lean heavily on Alexis Diaz, Lucas Sims, Sam Moll, and Ian Gibaut in 2024, with Pagan being brought in to help bridge the gap to Diaz in the 9th inning.
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