The Cincinnati Reds have had a hectic day. On Friday, they made several roster changes to free up space on the 40-man roster, designating several players for assignment, some of whom they ended up losing. Later that evening, they announced the re-signing of Brent Suter and declined the option for Luke Maile. Both Nick Martinez and Jakob Junis opted out of their contracts.
Starting with Brent Suter, he wasn’t exactly a free agent. The Reds declined his team option worth $3.5 million, despite his strong track record of preventing runs. They paid him a $250,000 buyout, and he subsequently re-signed with the team for $2.5 million for 2025, which includes a $3 million team option for 2026 with an additional $250,000 buyout. Mark Sheldon of Reds.com first reported the terms of this deal.
Luke Maile’s $3.5 million team option was also turned down. He received a $500,000 buyout and will become a free agent. Maile, who served as the backup catcher for the past two seasons, played 53 games in 2024 but struggled with a batting line of .178/.268/.252 in 154 plate appearances.
Nick Martinez’s decision to opt out of his contract was expected. He had a career-high 142.1 innings pitched, a career-best 3.10 ERA, and 116 strikeouts in 2024, with just 18 walks. The right-hander made 16 starts and 26 relief appearances, showcasing his versatility. His option was for $12 million, and at 34, he may be looking for one last significant contract following a standout season.
The next question is whether the Reds will offer him a qualifying offer for 2025, set at $21.05 million for one year. Players rarely accept qualifying offers, but Martinez’s situation might be unique, as he may not receive a similar amount over multiple seasons on the open market.
Jakob Junis also declined his $8 million mutual option, receiving a $3 million buyout and becoming a free agent. The 32-year-old had a solid season, pitching 67 innings with the Brewers and Reds, and posted a 2.69 ERA while allowing only eight walks and recording 51 strikeouts.
With the potential exits of both Martinez and Junis, the Reds’ rotation depth is significantly affected. While there’s a chance they could return on new contracts, it’s prudent to assume they won’t for now, though their return would be welcomed.
Following these roster changes, the Cincinnati Reds’ 40-man roster now stands at 36 players.
