The Reds introduced their full slate of possibility choices for the 2025 season this afternoon. Proper-hander Nick Martinez turned down his $12MM participant possibility for subsequent season. The Reds held a $3.5MM membership possibility on lefty reliever and Cincinnati native Brent Suter, however fairly than exercising it they’ve signed him to a brand new one-year contract with a membership possibility for the 2026 season. He’ll be assured $2.25MM and the choice is value $3MM, MLB.com’s Mark Sheldon reviews. Gordon Wittenmyer of the Cincinnati Enquirer provides that the Reds first paid the $500K buyout on Suter’s $3.5MM possibility for the upcoming season earlier than re-signing him to the brand new phrases.
In the meantime, Cincinnati declined a $3.5MM possibility on catcher Luke Maile in favor of a $500K buyout, whereas right-hander Jakob Junis declined his finish of an $8MM mutual possibility. He’ll be paid a $3MM buyout. Every of Martinez, Maile and Junis at the moment are free brokers.
Martinez, now 34, has proven a powerful willingness to guess on himself relating to contracts. After pitching in Japan from 2018 to 2021, he has returned to North America and regularly signed offers with opt-outs that he has triggered.
Going into 2022, he signed a four-year, $25.5MM cope with the Padres with the power to opt-out after every season. He finally triggered his first opt-out and re-signed with the Friars for 2023, a $26MM assure over three years with a convoluted membership/participant possibility construction. After the 2023 season, the Padres turned down a two-year, $32MM membership possibility after which Martinez turned down his two-year, $16MM participant possibility. He then signed a two-year, $26MM cope with the Reds that once more allowed him to decide out after one season.
With the Padres earlier than and with the Reds in 2024, Martinez oscillated between the rotation and bullpen. He obtained into 42 video games this yr, together with 16 begins, tossing 142 1/3 innings with a 3.10 earned run common. His 20.4% strikeout fee was a bit under common however his 3.2% stroll fee was elite. Amongst pitchers with at the least 140 innings pitched this yr, solely George Kirby gave out free passes at a decrease fee.
Each with the Padres and Reds, his outcomes have been higher out of the bullpen. This yr, he had a 3.84 ERA as a starter however a 1.86 mark as a reliever. Whether or not he’ll be considered as a reliever or starter will possible differ from membership to membership, however he ought to be capable to high $12MM on the open market, making his determination to decide out a logical one.
Now the Reds will be capable to difficulty him a qualifying supply and it has been steered in some circles that they may contemplate it. Although Martinez is a strong contributor, it might be a little bit of a shock to see him provided a $21.05MM QO.
None of his earlier contracts have had a median annual worth increased than $13MM, so he would possible settle for such a suggestion. The Reds have usually had payrolls only a bit above $100MM in most up-to-date years, per Cot’s Baseball Contracts, so Martinez accepting the QO would take up one thing approaching a fifth of their payroll. That’s some huge cash to decide to a swingman.
Suter, 35, has been a gentle performer within the huge leagues for near a decade now. Debuting again in 2016, he now has a 3.45 ERA in over 500 profession innings. He signed with the Reds within the offseason and gave them 65 2/3 innings with a 3.15 ERA. His strikeout fee wasn’t nice however he demonstrated wonderful management and his common propensity for limiting injury. His common exit velocity and onerous hit fee had been each within the 96th percentile, in keeping with Statcast.
His earlier deal got here with a $2.5MM wage for 2024 and a $500K buyout on a $3.5MM membership possibility for 2025. As talked about, the Reds gave him that buyout and labored out a brand new wage for the upcoming season, additionally securing a membership possibility for ’26.
Maile doesn’t hit a lot however has a powerful fame as a defender and game-caller. That continued to be the case this yr, as he slashed .178/.268/.252 however with strong work behind the plate.
The Reds are transferring on as we speak however may maybe circle again to Maile at a cheaper price level. Tyler Stephenson is the one backstop on the 40-man roster now, in order that they might want to discover a backup, whether or not that’s Maile or another person.
Junis, 32, has usually had strong ends in his profession. Nonetheless, his 2024 was largely held again by harm. He signed with the Brewers within the winter, a $7MM assure damaged up right into a $4MM wage and a $3MM possibility.
He went on the injured listing early within the yr attributable to a proper shoulder impingement. His return from that harm was delayed when he was struck by a batted ball throughout BP. He finally tossed 67 innings on the yr with a 2.69 ERA, getting flipped from the Brewers to the Reds as a part of the deadline deal that despatched Frankie Montas to Milwaukee.
Going again to the beginning of 2021, Junis has thrown 304 1/3 innings with a 3.99 ERA, 22.6% strikeout fee and 5.2% stroll fee and will be capable to safe himself a strong deal in free company.
