N. Martinez accepts qualifying offer, will pitch for Reds in 2025
CINCINNATI — In a decision that likely settles offseason questions about filling the Reds rotation, free-agent pitcher Nick Martinez has accepted the club’s qualifying offer to return for the 2025 season. Martinez also did not rule out the possibility of staying longer.
Martinez, 34, will play under a one-year, $21.05 million contract after accepting the offer on Monday ahead of Tuesday’s 4 p.m. ET deadline. He was the only one of the 13 players who received a qualifying offer this offseason to accept the deal. The Reds would have received a compensation Draft pick had Martinez signed elsewhere.
The Reds announced the deal on Tuesday, and Martinez was thrilled about staying with Cincinnati after exploring the open market.
“We were definitely hearing calls, taking them and seeing what was out there,” Martinez told MLB.com from his offseason home in Miami. “We’re still able to talk [with the Reds] about a multi-year deal. To my understanding, that’s still on the table. We’re continuing to talk and see what we can do. This was just because of deadlines and stuff to accept the qualifying offer.
“Being in Cincy, to run it back with these guys, was a better option for me. I’m comfortable with these guys. I’m excited to run it back with them.”
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