Reds take bold gamble on fireballer after breakout season in Japan

As the Cincinnati Reds attempt to remake their bullpen heading into the 2026 season, they're hoping Yunior Marté's breakout overseas in Japan was no fluke. The Reds reportedly signed the fireballer to a minor-league deal with an invite to spring training. According to MLB insider Francys Romero, Marté can earn $1.05 million if he breaks camp with the Reds next spring.

After three years in the big leagues, Marté spent last season with the Chunichi Dragons of Nippon Professional Baseball. After years of subpar performance in the majors, Marté found a modicum of success in Japan. The flamethrower posted a 1.95 ERA and 3.35 FIP across 32⅓ innings of work.

Marté never put it altogether during his three Major League seasons, posting a 5.64 ERA and 4.77 FIP over the course of 102 games with the San Francisco Giants and Philadelphia Phillies. The righty has reliably been able to induce ground balls with a sinker-heavy arsenal while also working in a slider and four-seam fastball, but a high number of walks have plagued him throughout his career.

Reds sign fireballer Yunior Marté after successful stint overseas in Japan

The Reds needed to do something to bolster their bullpen ahead of the 2026 season. While Cincinnati wisely re-signed closer Emilio Pagán to a two-year, $20 million deal, the remainder of the Reds bullpen looks like a gigantic question mark at the moment.

Pagán and fellow backend reliever Tony Santillan are the only certainties. Cincy signed left-hander Caleb Ferguson to a one-year deal, but the Reds are still thin on lefties. The front office is hopeful that Graham Ashcraft takes a step forward — in what is a relatively new role for him — and they're betting big on the hard-throwing trio of Zach Maxwell, Connor Phillips, and Luis Mey in 2026.

Cincinnati's spending restrictions have kept them from chasing top-flight relievers this offseason, and high-upside plays like signing Marté is exactly the type of gamble Nick Krall and the Reds front office have to make given the team's payroll heading into 2026. Reds fans are hoping that this latest gamble pays major dividends next season.