November 17, 2024
Cincinnati Reds pitcher
Nick Martinez accepted the team's qualifying offer of $21.05 million, returning to the team for a second season. Martinez made a handful of starts in the first month of the season in 2024, but worked almost exclusively out of the bullpen until August when he returned to the rotation. The 34-year-old had stronger numbers overall in 53 1/3 IP as a reliever (1.86 ERA, 0.86 WHIP, 19.6 K-BB%) than in 89 IP as a starter (3.84 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, 15.8% K-BB%), however, as a starter in September the righty went 4-1 with a 0.83 ERA, 0.67 WHIP, and a 21.8% K-BB% which led to being named MLB's N.L. Pitcher of the Month. Fantasy managers should take note in the spring as to whether or not the Reds plan to use him as a starter again as he could be a potential late-round value if he were able to take that momentum into 2025.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: Francys Romero
November 9, 2024
Free-agent right-handed pitcher
Nick Martinez is expected to accept the Cincinnati Reds' qualifying offer worth $21.05 million, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post. This past summer, Martinez logged a career-high 142 1/3 innings and is now expected to return to Cincinnati. Last summer, the right-hander held a strong 3.10 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, and a 18:116 BB:K. The 34-year-old posted a stellar 3.2% walk rate, 5.1% barrel rate, and a 30.5% hard-hit rate, which were among the highest marks among qualified pitchers last season. Seeing Martinez show great command as a starter makes him an intriguing option later in drafts this offseason, especially if you are looking to boost your team's WHIP ratio.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Jon Heyman
November 5, 2024
The Cincinnati Reds extended a $21.05 million qualifying offer to free-agent right-hander
Nick Martinez on Monday, according to sources. He already declined a $12 million player option last week. Martinez and the Reds actually discussed a multi-year contract extension before this point, but neither side could agree to anything, and now the 34-year-old veteran swingman is on the open market. If Martinez rejects the offer and signs with another club this winter, the Reds will receive draft-pick compensation. He had a great first season in Cincy in 2024, going 10-7 with a career-best 3.10 ERA (3.21 FIP), a 1.03 WHIP and a career-high 116 strikeouts in 142 1/3 innings over 42 appearances (16 starts). Martinez might see plenty of money on the open market given his versatility, but it also wouldn't be a surprise if he accepted the one-year qualifying offer to stay with the Reds.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN.com - Jeff Passan
November 1, 2024
Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher
Nick Martinez opted out of his contract and will test free agency according to Mark Sheldon of MLB.com. Martinez is coming off the best season of his seven-year MLB career where he held a solid 3.10 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, with a 18:116 BB:K ratio. Martinez was deployed as both a starter and reliever but took significant strides this summer. He showcased elite command with a 3.2% walk rate and was able to limit hard contact at a strong 30.5% hard-hit rate and 5.1% barrel rate. Martinez will likely continue to operate as a back-end starter and could be worth a look in deeper formats this upcoming season given his progression.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Mark Sheldon
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