The Cincinnati Reds knew that they had to get some pitching in the 2023-24 offseason.
There is a strong argument to be made that they missed the postseason this year because they failed to bring in impact pitching ahead of the deadline.
If they had made that decision around early August, who knows how far they would have gotten?
The Arizona Diamondbacks, an 84-win team (the Reds won 82), showed that you don’t need to win 100 games to contend in the playoffs.
But that’s all in the past now.
The Reds secured the services of reliever Emilio Pagan on Wednesday, and later that same day, they brought in a good starter to help fill out their rotation.
“Right-hander Nick Martinez and the Cincinnati Reds are in agreement on a two-year, $26 million contract that includes an opt-out after the first year, sources tell ESPN. Martinez, 33, opted out of the last two years and $16 million of his deal with San Diego to reach free agency,” MLB insider Jeff Passan tweeted.
Right-hander Nick Martinez and the Cincinnati Reds are in agreement on a two-year, $26 million contract that includes an opt-out after the first year, sources tell ESPN. Martinez, 33, opted out of the last two years and $16 million of his deal with San Diego to reach free agency.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) November 30, 2023
Martinez had a contract with the San Diego Padres, but held an opt-out clause and used it.
He leveraged it into an additional $10 million, and you know, that’s a whole lot of money so it’s hard to blame him.
The right-hander is no ace, but with a 3.43 ERA in 110.1 innings in a tweener role with the Padres, he showed effectiveness and versatility.
He started nine games and entered 54 as a reliever.
With Nick Lodolo, Hunter Greene, Andrew Abbott, Graham Ashcraft, and Martinez, the Reds rotation is taking shape.
If they add another top starter, they could be very hard to beat.
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Insider Details Latest Reds Addition In Free Agency