Right-hander Nick Martinez said Monday that he accepted the Cincinnati Reds’ $21.05 million qualifying offer.

The deal makes him the highest-paid player on the Reds for 2025.

Martinez, 34, opted to stay put after a breakout season in which he finished 10-7 with a 3.10 ERA in 42 games (16 starts) and struck out 116 batters in 142 1/3 innings.

Martinez told MLB.com on Monday that he weighed the landscape before accepting the qualifying offer. He’s hopeful a long-term deal can be worked out.

“We were definitely hearing calls, taking them and seeing what was out there,” Martinez said. “We’re still able to talk (with the Reds) about a multi-year deal. To my understanding, that’s still on the table. We’re continuing to talk and see what we can do. This was just because of deadlines and stuff to accept the qualifying offer.

“Being in Cincy, to run it back with these guys, was a better option for me. I’m comfortable with these guys. I’m excited to run it back with them.”

Martinez cited playing for new Cincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona as a huge selling point.

The deadline for players to accept or decline qualifying offers is Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET.

Martinez is 37-45 with a 4.09 ERA in 240 games (103 starts) with the Texas Rangers (2014-17), San Diego Padres (2022-23) and Reds. He played in Japan from 2018-21.

–Field Level Media