18-07-2025
Weeks like this are why Cincinnati Reds chose to pay Nick Martinez $21 million
Forget what Nick Martinez did on the mound for eight innings against the San Diego Padres.
Check out the pacing from one end of the dugout to the other after every inning that the Cincinnati Reds right-hander pitches, start after start after start.
'I love it. That's what he does,' teammate Spencer Steer said. 'His little whistle is a little annoying.'
Martinez: 'I know it's a pain in the ass. I can't control that.'
If anything, the pacing (and whistling) might be a natural byproduct of a competitive nature and focus level that contributed not only to the no-hit bid he took to the ninth inning Friday, June 27 but also the value to this team that prompted the Reds to pay him $21 million this year.
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'It's why you want veteran leaders on your ballclub. There's a reason for that,' Reds manager Terry Francona said.
If the Reds have the kind of second-half success they envision, it's hard to imagine one of the better storylines for their success won't be Martinez — the veteran right-hander who reinvented himself during four seasons in Japan, returned as primarily a reliever for the Padres, then signed as a free agent with the Reds.
And became last year's Reds pitcher of the year in his first season, before opting out of the second year of the deal — and ultimately accepting a $21.05 million qualifying offer that many in other corners of the industry thought was a crazy overpay for the Reds.
Team president Nick Krall said at the time he saw no risk in the QO. He did see value.
'He took the ball whenever you wanted him to, and had no issues with whatever role you put him in,' Krall said then. 'He was a great team guy, really good guy in the clubhouse. But it was the lead-by-example guy that you really just want to watch.'
Seven months later, that's what first-year Reds manager Francona and second-year teammates saw over the past week.
After a rough, short start against the Twins on June 19, he said he'd pitch out of the bullpen before his next start, and delivered two scoreless innings over the weekend against the Cardinals. When Chase Burns subsequently was called up for a debut and dropped into Martinez's day, it pushed Martinez back one day — until Brady Singer wanted to stay on his routine.
At which point, Martinez volunteered to move his start to Friday and pitch out of the bullpen again — for another scoreless inning Monday against the Yankees.
Then eight no-hit innings
"They say good things happen to good people,' Francona said.
'It's incredible,' said center fielder TJ Friedl, who got a bird's-eye view from center of what he called a 'surgical' job of pinpointing all his pitches Friday.
'He deserves everything he gets for what he does for this team,' Friedl said. 'And he's done it the past two years. Whenever we need him in whatever spot, he's willing to do whatever for the team. He's one of the most selfless teammates I've ever played with.'
A veteran, a mentor, an upbeat presence in the clubhouse, Martinez also is as versatile as it gets on the roster, even beyond the starter-reliever abilities.
One day in New York last season, a New York writer needed help interviewing a Spanish-speaking player, and Martinez walked by and offered to do it for the writer.
Afterward, the writer asked Martinez for his name and title. 'Nick Martinez,' he said. 'Pitcher.'
Even after the no-hit bid, Martinez deferred to Steer's three-homer night.
'There was a lot of luck in mine,' Martinez said. 'But it's pretty hard to hit three home runs.'
Steer said it's 'super impressive' what Martinez has done for the team since arriving last year between the bullpen and rotation, mentioning the 'selflessness' of making the relief appearances the club needed.
'He doesn't have to do that. He can say, 'I'm just a starter, find somebody else to fill that role,' ' Steer said. 'But he's embraced the challenge. And it looks like he's having a blast every time he's out on the mound. When you see that, it's easy to play defense behind him.
'And obviously, it's easier to root for his success.'
Even if the whistle is annoying.
'It's been two years. I'm used to it by now,' catcher Tyler Stephenson said, smiling. 'He almost gives me anxiety just by walking back and forth. It's OK to sit.'
Maybe not after 30 years without a postseason win – that would make anybody pace. Especially if they're trying to do something about it.
'The kid, what he did this week going to the bullpen,' Francona said, 'he deserved that (Friday success).
'I think sometimes when you have your head in the right place and your attitude in the right place things end up being in the right place,' Francona said.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: This is why Cincinnati Reds chose to pay Nick Martinez $21 million
