In a couple months, Nick Martinez will need to decide whether to test free agency for what would be the fourth straight offseason. More than most free agents, Martinez has seemed to value flexibility. Since he returned to affiliated ball during the 2021-22 offseason after a stint in Japan, the right-hander has signed contracts that allow him to opt out after the first season.
In each case, Martinez has pitched well enough to take that opportunity. He provided the Padres with 106 1/3 innings of 3.47 ERA ball in 2022. San Diego brought him back in free agency on a new three-year deal after he triggered the out clause. That came with another opt-out possibility, which Martinez took last winter after posting a 3.43 ERA through 110 1/3 frames.
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“To QO or not to QO, that is the question!” – William Shakespeare
“Doubt thou the stars free agency.
Doubt that the season doth move.
Doubt truth to be unencumbered.
But never doubt thyne thrice opt out.”
~ Hamlet
Well done.
The rest is silence.
I suppose the 1 year salary exceeds a multi year deal annual salary. I would head back to SD, they are close to having a championship caliber team.
Probably not going to be a starter with the Reds because of their abundance of cheap young pitchers
QO for Martinez would be a huge gamble by Krall and the Reds, but San Diego (or someone else) may offer Martinez a +$50MM 3-4 year deal. That would give the Reds a Compensation A pick to go along with their Competition A pick in 2025 draft. I believe it’s worth the risk.
$50MM guaranteed at 34 years old would surprise me. I think he gets under that on a 2-3 year deal. I figure a Seth lugo deal is plausible.
3 years in a row Martinez with over 100IP and under 3.50 ERA. May be worth +$50 MM to some teams. I feel it’s in the margin, especially if Martinez finishes strong.