Martinez accepting QO, per reports

Former Ranger great Nick Martinez is accepting the qualifying offer he was tendered by the Cincinnati Reds, per reports. As a result, he will return to Cincinnati on a one year deal for $21.05 million.

Martinez, 34, opted out of his multi-year deal with the San Diego Padres last winter and signed a deal with the Cincinnati Reds that gave him the ability to opt out after the 2024 season. Martinez put up a 3.10 ERA in 142 innings while splitting the year between the rotation and the bullpen.

I was surprised that the Reds tendered the qualifying offer to Martinez, and it seemed to be a given that he would accept, as he wasn’t going to get a $20M AAV in the open market, and the draft pick attached to him would depress his market. Martinez will now return to Cincy for 2025, and be able to re-enter the free agent market next offseason.