With Nick Martinez and Zack Littell nearing free agency, the Cincinnati Reds will need to bolster their starting pitching depth this offseason.
That said, a major overhaul isn’t necessary. Hunter Greene leads the rotation, with Andrew Abbott, Brady Singer, and Nick Lodolo forming a strong supporting cast. Top prospects like Rhett Lowder, Chase Burns, and Chase Petty are also expected to push for big-league roles in 2026, giving Terry Francona plenty of future options.
Still, Martinez and Littell combined for 219 innings in 2025 — production that won’t be easy to replace if both depart. As such, the Reds would be wise to add at least one reliable veteran starter, ideally someone affordable. Former Red Tyler Mahle fits that description well.
Reds could be perfect match for Tyler Mahle in free agency
Mahle was one of the few steady presences during the Reds’ previous rebuild, throwing nearly 600 innings from 2017 to 2022 while posting a 4.35 ERA. He was eventually traded to the Minnesota Twins at the 2022 deadline in exchange for Spencer Steer and Christian Encarnacion-Strand.
When healthy, Mahle performed well—but staying healthy has always been the issue. He managed only 42 innings with the Twins before leaving in free agency to sign with the reigning champion Texas Rangers. After a limited 2024 season, Mahle bounced back in a big way the following year, delivering a 2.18 ERA over 86⅔ innings and recording a career-best 168 ERA+.
That kind of production raises the question: can the Reds afford him? Unfortunately for Mahle, injuries have defined much of his recent career. Since July 2022, he’s dealt with multiple shoulder, elbow, and arm problems, totaling just 141⅓ innings since being traded. He even missed three months of the 2025 season due to shoulder fatigue.
Despite his talent, the 31-year-old right-hander’s inability to stay on the mound will likely hurt his value in free agency. But that could work in the Reds’ favor. For a cost-conscious team seeking another high-upside arm to complement their young rotation, Mahle could be an ideal fit.
He’s expected to pursue a one-year “prove-it” deal for 2026, ideally with a contender—something he’s yet to experience in his nine-year career. Cincinnati could offer both a shot at October baseball and a manageable workload, thanks to their solid pitching depth.
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