Reds can afford to make one big move in free agency and Nick Martinez should be it

The Tampa Bay Rays are headed to the World Series, and former Cincinnati Reds pitcher Nick Martinez has drawn the start for Game 1. The right-hander was a key member of the Reds pitching staff the past two seasons, and became an All-Star with the Rays this year. Martinez will be a free agent again this winter, and he should be at the top of the Reds' shopping list.

Martinez stayed true to himself in 2026, limiting hard contact (32.9% hard-hit rate) and keeping the bases clear of free runners (3.6% walk rate). There was an emphasis on his sinker and changeup this season, while he lessened his reliance on the fastball and slider.

The results speak for themselves. Much like he was during his time with the Reds, Martinez was an absolute workhorse for the Rays this season. The veteran made 31 starts, covered a career-high 180 innings, and equalled the 3.10 ERA he posted for Cincinnati in 2024.

Martinez, 36, will be a free agent once the World Series concludes. While his performance will certainly warrant an increase from the $12 million contract he signed with the Rays this past winter, his advanced age will likely put the $23.1 million he earned with the Reds in 2024 out of reach.

But somewhere in the middle, say a two-year, $35 million deal ($17.5 million AAV), could be enough to intice Martinez to sign on the dotted line. Is that something the Reds should consider this offseason? The short answer is, yes.

The Reds should consider a reunion with Nick Martinez this offseason

After the regular season ended, reports suggested that Nick Krall had his eye on a Martinez reunion this past winter. Those same reports, however, revealed that Reds' ownership prioritized a big-bat over a reliable arm, and Cincinnati turned their attention to another reunion, signing Eugenio Suárez to a one-year, $15 million deal.

Whether the reporting was true or simply a convenient escape hatch for the Reds' embattled team president is up for debate, but it suggests that Cincinnati's front office maintained some level of interest in Martinez as recently as this past offseason. Given his All-Star performance this season, there's little reason to doubt that interest doesn't still exist.

The Reds are set to lose Brady Singer to free agency next month, but after a horrific stretch during the final two months of the regular season, the idea that he could receive a qualifying offer has become laughable. That rumor was floated during MLB's trade season, but Singer's finish to the year all but eliminated that notion.

Cincinnati will also be without one of the frontline starters next season after Hunter Greene suffered yet another injury and underwent Tommy John surgery in August. That leaves the Reds' rotation with an enormous hole heading into 2027 and a current group of Chase Burns, Andrew Abbott, Nick Lodolo, Rhett Lowder, and Brandon Williamson. Four of those five pitchers spent time on the injured list in 2026.

Martinez is a durable pitcher who can also function as a reliever if need be. Terry Francona spoke highly about Martinez's team-first approach before he signed with the Rays last winter, and there's little doubt the Reds' skipper would love to have the veteran back in Cincinnati next season.

The Reds' 2027 budget has yet to be revealed, but it's doubtful the payroll will be going any higher than the $129 million the organization spent this last season. The combined $19.55 million coming off the books once Singer and Tyler Stephenson enter free agency should be more than enough to cover Martinez's salary in 2027. If the Reds are going to make one 'splash' signing this offseason, Martinez's name should be near the top of the list.

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