The Cincinnati Reds stepped into waters most often reserved for the bigger-spending teams in Major League Baseball on Monday afternoon, issuing a $21+ million qualifying offer (QO) to pitcher Nick Martinez, who had opted out of the previously existing $12 million on his contract last week.
The Enquirer’s Gordon Wittenmyer had the details, noting that Nick now has 15 days to accept or reject the offer and, if rejected, enter free agency.
I say that the Reds entered the realm normally reserved for the bigger-spending MLB clubs not because Martinez, who was stellar for the Reds in a versatile role in 2024, isn’t worth the money.