The Reds sign veteran pitcher Nick Martinez of a two-year deal with an opt-out:

Fortifying their pitching staff was a top priority for the Reds, who were surprising contenders in the NL and at 82-80 finished just shy of a wild-card berth. Cincinnati boasts a young core of infielders in Elly De La Cruz, Matt McLain, Noelvi Marte and Christian Encarnacion-Strand — all of whom were 23 or younger this season — along with utilityman Spencer Steer (25), right fielder Will Benson (25), second baseman Jonathan India (26), catcher Tyler Stephenson (27) and center fielder TJ Friedl (28).

Martinez is expected to join a rotation that could include any of five 25-and-under pitchers: Right-handers Hunter Greene and Graham Ashcraft, and left-handers Nick Lodolo, Andrew Abbott and Brandon Williamson.

ESPN.com

Martinez pitched mostly out of the bullpen in his last two seasons, with 2023 resulting in the highest WAR of his career. He posted his highest single season K rate and his lowest single season home run rate. Over his career, batters found him tougher to hit as a reliever.

That’s okay, however. Martinez serves a role as a back of the rotation starter. This is exactly the kind of deal a team should make when they are ready to win. The Reds don’t need a star, they need someone to fill a hole for not too much money, and Martinez fits the bill exactly.