After spending the past two seasons with the Cincinnati Reds, Nick Martinez is now heading into free agency. Some fans are pushing for the team to bring him back, while others believe it’s time to move on. Let’s take a closer look at what Martinez has contributed and whether the Reds should part ways with him this offseason.
Reds Face Decision on Bringing Back Nick Martinez in Free Agency
Martinez’s Role in 2025
In 2025, Nick Martinez continued to serve as one of the Reds’ most versatile pitchers, appearing in 40 games — 26 as a starter and 14 as a reliever. It was a familiar role for him after 2024, when he pitched in 42 games and made 16 starts. Across those two seasons, Martinez logged 142 1/3 innings in 2024 and 165 2/3 in 2025, consistently providing value wherever he was needed.
Essentially, Martinez acted as the Reds’ Swiss Army knife — stepping in as the fifth starter when injuries struck the rotation, taking on long-relief duties when the bullpen was taxed, and even handling high-leverage situations late in games.
The Last Two Seasons
During the 2025 campaign, Martinez tossed 165 2/3 innings and posted a 4.45 ERA, good for an ERA+ of 103 — just slightly above league average. While respectable, it marked a noticeable dip from his standout 2024 season, when he recorded a 142 ERA+ and was one of the Reds’ most consistent arms.
The regression was apparent across several key metrics. His ERA rose by more than a full run, and his FIP climbed from 3.21 to 4.33. Martinez’s strikeout rate dropped from 20.4% to 17.0%, while his walk rate increased from 3.2% to 6.1%.
While he still managed to limit hard contact in 2025, his ability to induce swings outside the zone took a major hit — his chase rate plummeted from 33.9% in 2024 (one of the best in baseball) to just 24.5% in 2025 (among the worst).
Despite those declines, Martinez remained a dependable pitcher. His 3.99 expected ERA (xERA) indicates that his performance was still solid, even if not at the same level as the year prior.
Martinez’s Splits: Starter vs. Reliever
As a starter in 2025, Martinez logged 145 innings with a 4.72 ERA and a 4.46 FIP. Out of the bullpen, he threw 20 2/3 innings, compiling a 2.61 ERA and a 4.39 FIP.
Although the ERA difference is stark, the nearly identical FIP suggests his underlying performance was fairly similar in both roles. The smaller bullpen sample size simply skews the surface numbers.
Should the Reds Bring Him Back?
That brings us to the key question — should Cincinnati re-sign Nick Martinez for 2026 and beyond?
At 35 years old, age might be a concern, but Martinez doesn’t rely heavily on velocity and has shown no indication of wearing down. His durability and adaptability still make him a valuable asset.
The deciding factor likely comes down to cost and roster fit. With young pitchers like Chase Burns, Rhett Lowder, and Chase Petty pushing for rotation spots, Martinez’s future role would probably be in the bullpen — filling multi-inning relief or spot-start duties.
However, Martinez could command a salary north of $10 million per year, which he’s earned through his versatility and consistency. The question is whether the Reds, traditionally cautious spenders, would commit that much to a bullpen arm.
Given the team’s track record of developing effective relievers internally, it seems more likely that they’ll let Martinez walk and use those resources to bolster the offense instead.
