Right-hander is putting the finishing touches on a terrific first season with the Reds, having thus far compiled 134 1/3 innings of 3.22 ERA ball with a 20.8% strikeout rate and superlative 3.3% walk rate. Hes signed through the 2025 season and slated to earn $12MM next season but has the right to opt out of the second season of his two-year, $26MM contract and test free agency for what would be a fourth straight offseason. Roy Halladay Jersey The 34-year-old righty recently that he hasnt made a decision or spoken with agent Scott Boras about his contract status while simultaneously expre sing love for the Reds clubhouse and speaking fondly of his time in the organization. Martinez plainly stated that in spite of the opt-out opportunity, his mindset upon signing was that he was going to be in Cincinnati for multiple years. Hes bounced between starting and a variety of bullpen roles and said hes on board with how hes been used. He alluded to a more delicate i sue that needs to be talked about in the offseason a seeming nod to that looming opt-out provision and the clear reality that hed be able to easily top the remaining one year and $12MM on his contract if he returned to the open market. at Martinezs opt-out and his ostensible comfort with going year-to-year in free agency as he continually improves his earning power. The 2011 Rangers draftee struggled through four big league seasons (2014-17) before reinventing himself in a breakout run with Japans Nippon-Ham Fighters and SoftBank Hawks. Since returning to North American Ball, hes pitched three seasons between San Diego and Cincinnati, logging a collective 3.36 ERA in 351 innings. Martinez has filled virtually every role po sible, working as a starter, closer, setup man, long reliever and bulk reliever behind openers. A two- or even three-year deal should be available to Martinez this offseason, although the Reds will have some time to ponder a potential multi-year deal to keep the versatile righty from reaching free agency at all. Martinez opined that the Reds have the pieces in place to ascend to playoff contention next year and spoke glowingly about his teammates. Hes a valuable piece of the puzzle as things stand, capable of serving as a fourth or fifth starter behind , and (all three of whom he specifically mentioned in expre sing his optimism about the teams future) or again operating as a pivotal swingman who can be called upon in any role. Those three young arms are effectively locked into the top spots in the Cincinnati rotation. Top prospect , 26-year-old and 23-year-old are among the other candidates for starting roles next season. The Reds could arguably use a veteran arm to help stabilize the rotation outlook, but not every viable starting option would be so amenable to being shuffled between the starting staff and bullpen as Martinez has been in recent years. It does make him a clear fit, even if his numbers are notably better in relief. The question for the Reds will be one of salary, as Martinez has pitched well enough to justifiably seek a raise over the two-year, $26MM terms to which he agreed last winter. Cincinnati has about $27MM in guarantees on next years books, . That doesnt include Martinezs option, an $8MM player option or a $3.5MM club option on lefty that seems likely to be picked up by the team. The Reds will also have to weigh arbitration raises for ($6.775MM salary in 24), ($2.725MM), ($2.525MM) and ($2.15MM), plus first-time arb-eligible players like Lodolo, Ashcraft, and . The Suter option, arbitration raises and a slate of league-minimum players to round out the roster would put the Reds north of $60MM before even considering Martinez or any offseason expenditures. Cincinnati has opened the past two seasons with payrolls ranging from $82-100MM. Martinez could be deemed something of a luxury if ownership wants to keep payroll in that same range, though its not yet clear what type of payroll the club is comfortable fielding in 2025. The Reds will also be in the market for at least one veteran bat to upgrade the lineup. Adding to a bullpen could see as many as four relievers reach free agency Martinez, Pagan, , will also surely be a goal. Toronto Blue Jays Jersey