Reds re-work key reliever's contract, but surprisingly decline Luke Maile's option

The Cincinnati Reds had some contractual obligations to tidy up with the World Series having concluded on Wednesday night. Teams and players typically have a five-day window after the Fall Classic to make decisions about contract options. Reds fans will remember last fall when Cincinnati chose not to exercise Joey Votto's $20 million club option for the 2024 season.

This offseason provided a few more contract decisions, and among them was the future of local battery mates Brent Suter and Luke Maile. As it turns out, Suter will be back in 2025, but the same cannot be said for Maile (yet).

The Reds inked Suter to a new contract for 2025 with a team option for the 2026 season. According to MLB.com's Mark Sheldon, Suter's deal for next season will be worth $2.25 million with a $3 million option for the following season. That'll save the Reds a little over $1 million in 2025.

Reds re-work Brent Suter's contract, but surprisingly decline Luke Maile's option

But in a bit of a surprise, the Reds chose not to exercise Maile's $3.5 million club option for next season. Maile will instead receive a $500,000 buyout and become a free agent. The Reds could always attempt to renegotiate a new deal with Maile in the same way they did with Suter, but perhaps Cincinnati will be looking for upgrade behind the dish.

Maile worked as Tyler Stephenson's backup throughout the 2024 season, and while regarded as one of the leaders in the clubhouse, Maile's offensive numbers made the $3.5 million salary for 2025 rather difficult to swallow. Maile hit just .178/.268/.252 last season with a 44 OPS+.

In addition to re-signing Suter and parting ways with Maile, the Reds revealed that Jacob Junis declined his mutual option for next season and Nick Martinez exercised the opt out clause in his contract. Both pitchers, like Maile, will enter the free agent market.

It's unknown yet if the Reds will extend a qualifying offer to Martinez in order to keep him in Cincinnati. If the Reds' ownership and front office is so inclined, they'll then owe Martinez $21 million for next season if he accepts, or receive draft compensation if the right-hander signs elsewhere. That will be the next domino to fall this offseason.

More Cincinnati Reds News and Rumors