Hometown boy Brent Suter will return to the Reds in 2025 and hometown boy Luke Maile may not be.
The Reds signed Suter, a left-handed reliever and Moeller High School graduate, to a one-year deal worth $2.25 million with a club option for 2026 worth $3 million and a $250,000 buyout. The club declined its $3.5 million option on Maile, a graduate of Covington Catholic High School just across the river from Great American Ball Park.
Right-handers Nick Martinez and Jacob Junis declined their options and are entering free agency.
Nick Krall, the Reds’ president of baseball operations, wouldn’t close the door on the backup catcher returning, but would still look for options in free agency.
“I’m not ruling anything out going into the offseason,” Krall said. “We’re just trying to work through what that market looks like.”
Krall said the team is “still working through” its 2025 budget and these moves were part of the timeline of the offseason.
Earlier in the day, the first batch of players cleared waivers. Right-hander Tejay Antone accepted his assignment to Triple-A Louisville, while first baseman Ty France and outfielder/first baseman Nick Martini elected free agency. Catcher Austin Wynns was also activated from the 60-day IL and sent outright to Louisville.
The next move will be whether or not to tender Martinez a qualifying offer. The Reds have until Monday to tell Martinez’s agent, Scott Boras, whether they will offer him the one-year, $21.05 million contract. Martinez must tell the Reds of his decision by Nov. 19. If he declines, he’s a free agent and the Reds will receive compensation for losing him, but he’s also free to re-sign with Cincinnati.
Krall said the team is definitely interested in bringing Martinez back to the team for next season.
Krall said the number of first basemen on the roster — Christian Encarnacion-Strand, Jeimer Candelario, Spencer Steer and potentially Jonathan India — made it difficult to see the team tendering France a contract. That decision didn’t have to be made now, but since the decision was made, it gives France certainty for the upcoming season.
Encarnacion-Strand had a small setback in the Arizona Fall League, but should return to play next week. Meanwhile, Matt McLain played one game in center field in the Arizona Fall League and six at second base, where he was scheduled to play for the Reds last season before suffering a shoulder injury in spring training.
Krall said the team is keeping its options open with McLain, who played center field in college at UCLA, where he also played shortstop and third base. He’s playing wherever he can to get more at-bats in Arizona. The fact that he’s searching for more at-bats is a good sign about his recovery. Another good sign is a 1.042 OPS through seven games with the Glendale Desert Dogs. He’s 6-for-23 (.261) with seven walks and nine strikeouts in 30 total plate appearances. Among his six hits are two doubles and two homers.
“He just continues to get his at-bats and see as much pitching as he can and set himself up to have a good offseason to come into spring training ready to compete,” Krall said.
(Photo of Brent Suter: Jason Mowry / Getty Images
