On Friday the Cincinnati Reds made a flurry of roster announcements. With the signing of manager Terry Francona, this offseason is going to be pivotal with respect to putting a better team on the field to win in 2025 and beyond. There will no doubt be a significant focus on each move the team makes this winter. Transactions in early November are no exception.
Nick Martinez and Jakob Junis Both Decline Options
Though both Martinez and Junis declined their options, this wasn’t terribly surprising. For his part, Martinez’s option was for $12,000,000. Although he is 34 years old he is no doubt expecting a longer-term payday coming off one of the better seasons he’s had. As Doug at Redlegnation points out, Martinez “set a career high with 142.1 innings pitched, had a career best 3.10 ERA, a career low 18 walks, and a career high 116 strikeouts in 2024.” For all of the flack that Cincinnati’s front office has gotten when it comes to free agents, Martinez was a bright spot for that record.
Whether he started games, came in for long relief, got our bullpen games started, he answered every call. His versatility is certainly a point in his favor in the open market. The Reds can extend Martinez a qualifying offer of over 21 million. However, whether the team will do so, or is financially capable of doing so for a 34-year-old pitcher remains to be seen. In the end, Martinez signed something of a prove-it deal with the Reds, and he did exactly that. This is part of the reason why the writing was on the wall when it came to his option this year. It’s awfully rare to see pitchers bounce back so well in their mid-30s, but Martinez certainly bucked that trend.
The story of Jakob Junis is another example of a solid move by the Reds front office. This one came mid-season and was also quite effective. The ex-Brewer had a 2.69 ERA and 51 strikeouts in 67 innings. Junis’ option was for $8,000,000. Now he, too, will test the open market after pitching very well during his brief tenure in Cincinnati.
Both Martinez and Junis were key pieces of the Reds’ pitching staff in 2024. They were two of the brighter spots, and to see them walk is tough to swallow. But the Reds do have the potential for a very strong staff in 2025. The stable of Greene, Lodolo, Ashcraft, and Lowder could be very good. And let’s all remember that the offseason is just beginning. So, while this news might sting now, there is still plenty of time to bounce back.
Luke Maile and Brent Suter
The Reds also declined the option of catcher Luke Maile. It was for $3,500,000. Maile seemed to call very good games for his pitchers from behind the plate. However, his struggles at the plate simply could not carry him through. He posted just a .178 average.
For a bit of good news, the Reds and relief pitcher Brent Suter did agree to a deal for $2,500,000 for 2025. It also includes a $3,000,000 team option for 2026. Suter battled injuries last year, but still was a solid contributor. In 65 innings he posted a 3.15 ERA and had 50 strikeouts.
The Reds started off the 2024 offseason with a bang in hiring Terry Francona. It was a very solid first step in putting together a contender next year. The important thing to remember is that Martinez and Junis declining their options has little to no reflection on what the front office is doing or the team that will take the field come spring. Junis and Martinez pitched very well in light of their contracts. This is actually a sign that the personnel and scouting departments had success in getting these guys signed. And the hope is that they can find two other players that will replicate that type of success next season, for a value, once again.
Let the 2024-2025 offseason begin!
Featured image courtesy of the Reds on X
