Reds' trade deadline addition may be backup plan if Nick Martinez enters free agency

Most of the players on the Cincinnati Reds 40-man roster are under team control for the 2025 season. The likes of Elly De La Cruz, Matt McLain, Nick Lodolo, and Andrew Abbott are all eligible to remain in Cincinnati through at 2027.

But the Reds do have a handful of free agents or would-be free agents on the roster. Justin Wilson, Amed Roasrio, Dominic Smith, and Buck Farmer will all be free agents at the end of the season. But players like Jakob Junis, Nick Martinez, Luke Maile, and Brent Suter have options included in their contracts.

Of all the Reds' impending free agents, Martinez is arguably the most valuable. The right-hander signed a one-year, $14 million deal this past offseason with a $12 million player-option for 2025. It's hard to see Martinez exercising that option over the winter, and it's imperative that the Reds have a backup plan in case. Oddly enough, Cincinnati's backup plan in the event of Martinez's departure might enter free agency as well.

Jakob Junis should be backup plan Nick Martinez enters free agency

Junis was one of the Reds' trade deadline acquisitions. Cincinnati dealt it's Opening Day starter Frankie Montas to their NL Central rivals, and in return, the Milwaukee Brewers sent Junis and outfielder Joey Wiemer to the Reds. Wiemer has mostly remained at Triple-A since his arrival, but Junis has been part of the Cincinnati's bullpen since the trade deadline.

Junis had some hiccups early, but has pitched exceedingly well since August 7th. The right-hander has a 1.35 ERA in seven outings since then, including four spectacular innings as the Reds opener back on August 27th. In those seven games, Junis has allowed just a .152 batting average against while posting a 1.35 ERA.

The Reds have shown a desire to supplement the roster with young, controllable arms like Carson Spiers, Lyon Richardson, and others. But if Cincinnati wants to be successful in 2025, they'll need to invest in a handle of reliable veterans. While retaining Martinez's services would be ideal, reuniting with Junis in free agency would also be a plausible option.

Junis has a mutual option included in his contract. The 31-year-old has an opportunity to earn $8 million in 2025 with a $3 million buyout. Look for Junis to forgo the final year of his deal and enter free agency. But perhaps the two sides can agree on a new deal this offseason.

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