Nick Martinez gave the Reds exactly what every contending team hopes for in a veteran swingman: flexibility, durability, and the ability to stabilize a pitching staff from multiple angles. Whether stepping in as a spot starter or eating innings out of the bullpen, Martinez was a glue guy for Cincinnati over the past two seasons-especially in 2025, when his ability to bridge games made Terry Francona’s job a whole lot easier.
Now, with Martinez hitting free agency and the Reds operating under a tight payroll, a reunion feels unlikely. That $21 million qualifying offer last season may have been a stretch in terms of raw value, but his contributions on the field were real.
Still, with Cincinnati prioritizing a big bat and needing to reallocate resources, the focus shifts to internal solutions. And one name that could quietly fill the Martinez-sized hole in the staff?
Julian Aguiar.
Julian Aguiar: The Next Man Up
Aguiar isn’t the first name that jumps off the Reds’ depth chart, and that’s understandable. The 24-year-old right-hander spent all of 2025 recovering from Tommy John surgery, and his brief big-league stint in 2024 didn’t exactly turn heads-seven starts, 31⅔ innings, and a 6.35 ERA. But if you dig a little deeper, there’s reason to believe he could be a smart, cost-effective replacement for Martinez.
Before the injury, Aguiar had started to build a solid foundation in the Reds' system. He was named the organization’s Minor League Pitcher of the Year in 2023 and had climbed into the top-30 prospect rankings.
His profile isn’t built on overpowering stuff, but rather on a sinker-heavy arsenal designed to generate weak contact and ground balls. It’s the kind of approach that fits snugly into the Reds' defensive philosophy and mirrors what made Martinez so valuable: efficiency and adaptability.
The Rotation Is Crowded-And That’s a Good Thing
Cincinnati’s rotation is arguably one of the more intriguing in the league heading into 2026. Hunter Greene leads the way with electric stuff and ace potential, while Andrew Abbott, Brady Singer, Nick Lodolo, and Chase Burns round out a group that blends youth, upside, and experience. And that’s not even counting top prospects Rhett Lowder and Chase Petty, both of whom are knocking on the door.
In other words, the Reds are flush with starting options. That gives GM Nick Krall some interesting trade flexibility if he wants to pursue offensive upgrades, but it also opens the door for someone like Aguiar to carve out a role in the bullpen-perhaps in the very role Martinez just vacated.
A Low-Risk, High-Upside Option
Aguiar is already on the 40-man roster and still in his pre-arbitration years, meaning he comes at a fraction of the cost of a veteran free agent. For a club trying to stretch every dollar, that matters. Giving him the opportunity to step into a multi-inning relief role-or even spot starts if needed-could offer the Reds real value without dipping into the free-agent market or sacrificing other assets.
It’s not a sure thing. Aguiar still has to prove he can handle big-league hitters consistently and stay healthy after surgery.
But in terms of upside, role fit, and financial flexibility, he checks a lot of boxes. If he can channel the form that made him one of the Reds’ most promising arms just two seasons ago, this could be one of those under-the-radar moves that pays off in a big way.
The Bottom Line
Replacing a veteran like Nick Martinez isn’t about finding a one-to-one clone-it’s about replicating the impact. Martinez gave the Reds innings, versatility, and a steady hand.
Julian Aguiar, with his ground-ball approach and developmental pedigree, has the tools to step into that void. It’s a gamble, sure-but one that could pay dividends both on the field and on the payroll.
And if it works, the Reds might just find themselves with a younger, cheaper version of what they just lost-plus a little extra room to add that bat they’ve been looking for.