DETROIT, Jan. 22, 2026, 2:21 p.m. ET
Tigers Eyeing Pitching Help, With Nick Martinez a Key Target
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Detroit is exploring mid-tier free agent options to bolster their starting rotation as spring training approaches.
- The Detroit Tigers are considering right-handers Chris Bassitt and Lucas Giolito, along with left-hander Jose Quintana, to add depth to their pitching staff.
- Nick Martinez, a versatile pitcher who excelled in both starting and relief roles for the Cincinnati Reds in 2025, is considered a strong fit for the Tigers.
- With less than three weeks until pitchers and catchers report, several teams are competing for the same available starting pitchers.
- The Tigers have already added Drew Anderson, Kenley Jansen, and Kyle Finnegan to their roster this offseason.
The Detroit Tigers are actively searching for starting pitching help in free agency, and a familiar name is surfacing in discussions: Nick Martinez. Multiple sources indicate the Tigers have expressed interest in the 35-year-old right-hander, along with fellow free agents Chris Bassitt and Jose Quintana. The team also reportedly has interest in Lucas Giolito, as previously reported by The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal.
Martinez: A Versatile Option
Martinez stands out as a particularly intriguing option for Detroit, largely due to his ability to effectively pitch in multiple roles. In 2025, pitching for the Cincinnati Reds, he posted a 4.45 ERA with 42 walks and 116 strikeouts across 165⅔ innings in 40 games (26 starts). Interestingly, his performance differed significantly based on his role; he had a 4.72 ERA as a starter and a stellar 2.61 ERA in 20⅔ innings as a reliever.
What kind of impact could Nick Martinez have on the Tigers’ rotation? His flexibility allows the Tigers to potentially slot him alongside Tarik Skubal, Jack Flaherty, Casey Mize, and Reese Olson in the Opening Day lineup. The team could also utilize him in the bullpen, creating an opportunity for developing pitchers like Troy Melton, Ty Madden, or a returning Jackson Jobe later in the season.
Tigers’ Offseason Moves
So far this offseason, Detroit president of baseball operations Scott Harris has added right-hander Drew Anderson, right-handed reliever Kenley Jansen, and right-handed reliever Kyle Finnegan via free agency. Without further additions, the Tigers currently have four established starters, leaving Anderson and Melton to compete for the final rotation spot.
The market for starting pitchers is competitive, with several teams vying for the same players as the Tigers. Pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report to spring training in less than three weeks, and Opening Day is just two months away, adding a sense of urgency to the Tigers’ search.
Martinez avoided the injured list since returning from a four-year stint in Japan, where he pitched for Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters and the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks from 2018-21. He earned over $50 million from the San Diego Padres (2022-23) and Reds (2024-25) in the past four seasons. He made $21.05 million from the Reds in 2025 after accepting a qualifying offer, though his production dipped with an increased workload, surpassing 150 innings and 25 starts for the first time in his career.
From 2022-24, Martinez combined for a 3.31 ERA over 359 innings in 152 games (35 starts). While his strikeout rate has decreased – from 23% in 2023 to 20.4% in 2024 and 17% in 2025 – he continues to limit hard contact and maintain durability. His fastball averaged 92.6 mph in 2025, and his changeup proved effective, limiting opponents to a .192 batting average with a 29.6% whiff rate.
The Rangers originally selected Martinez in the 19th round of the 2011 draft from Fordham University.
Landing a mid-tier free agent starter like Bassitt, Giolito, Martinez, or Quintana would significantly alter the Tigers’ outlook.
