Cincinnati Reds Must Bring Back These Two Pitchers Next Season

The Reds pitching staff would be lost without these two arms

Aug 22, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Cincinnati Reds relief pitcher Jakob Junis (47) pitches against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the fifth inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images / Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

The Cincinnati Reds pitching staff has been put through the ringer of the last month. Injuries have forced many different pitchers into starting roles that may not have otherwise expected to do that. Two of these guys need to be on next year’s roster.

Nick Martinez and Jakob Junis have been fantastic for the Reds. Their versatility has been a key reason the Reds pitching staff has not sunk into oblivion after the entire starting rotation hit the injured list. Both guys can pitch out of the bullpen and both are proving they can be solid emergency starters. They also both do something extremely well that the Reds have badly needed for years.

Martinez has been the best pitcher not named Hunter Greene on the Reds in 2024. Between high-leverage bullpen work and the occasional start, Martinez was super valuable through the first half of the season. When the entirety of the Reds rotation hit the shelf, though, Martinez stepped up and has been the most reliable starter that is currently healthy in Cincinnati.

Junis was a bit of a surprise addition to the team. Most did not expect Frankie Montas to bring back major league talent in any sort of trade. Junis has been that and more. After his first appearance as a Red was very rough, he has settled down. Even in his two emergency starts he has combined for nine shutout innings of baseball. When Junis enters a game, you can trust he will cover multiple innings.

This is something that David Bell has coveted as manager as he’s tried to make multiple relievers the kind of pitcher who can go more than one inning. The latest attempt is with Fernando Cruz, and it should end. Some guys are built for it, others aren’t. Junis and Martinez are built for it.

They are also very good at limiting walks. Martinez and Junis are ninth and tenth respectively, in walk rate according to Baseball Savant. Only eight pitchers in all MLB have a stingier walk rate than these dudes. The Reds have struggled for the better part of my lifetime with issuing free passes out of the bullpen. Martinez and Junis don’t.

Junis has a $7 million mutual option for 2025 that is likely to get picked up. The wild card will be if he thinks he can earn more, but it is a nice raise from this year’s $4 million.

Martinez has a player option for $12 million for 2025. This one seems like he may elect free agency and go for another starting pitcher-type contract with someone. That may put a wrench in my hopes as I think he is most valuable as a versatile reliever/starter. It all depends on his ambitions.

Regardless of the challenges, I believe the Reds should bring both these guys back next year.

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