San Diego Padres news: Nick Martinez inks deal with Cincinnati Reds

In what will likely be the first of several moves involving pitchers who threw for the San Diego Padres in 2023, Nick Martinez has reportedly inked a two-year deal with the Cincinnati Reds.

Opting out of San Diego Padres contract pays off for Nick Martinez

According to ESPN's Jeff Passan, Martinez will get $26 million over the next two seasons to pitch for the Reds. That is $10 million more than he was scheduled to make in the final two seasons of his deal with the Padres, meaning that his decision to opt out of his contract in San Diego paid off nicely for the 33-year-old right-hander.

Martinez performed in a variety of roles last season for the Padres, appearing in 63 games, including nine starts. He also finished six games and even logged a save, showing he could be used wherever needed. As Bill Felber described his view of Martinez as a hypothetical MLB general manager on our sister site, Call to the Pen, "If I need a starter, Martinez can do it. If I need a closer, Martinez can do it. If I need an innings-eater, Martinez can do it. If I need a bulk guy, Martinez can do it."

And that's the value that Martinez brought to the Padres and will now likely bring to the Reds as well after posting a 3.45 ERA/4.17 FIP/1.274 WHIP over 216.2 innings spread over 110 games during his two seasons in San Diego.

Martinez, of course, isn't the only San Diego pitcher from 2023 who will likely find a new home in time for the 2024 campaign. Josh Hader and Blake Snell are among the hottest names in free agency this offseason, while Seth Lugo is another piece of the 2023 Padres rotation who likely won't be back in brown and gold next season as well.