The Cincinnati Reds have extended a qualifying offer to free agent starting pitcher Nick Martinez as Major League Baseball's offseason gets underway.Martinez, 34, appeared in 42 games for the Reds last season, including 16 starts, pitching to a 3.10 ERA with 116 strikeouts in 142.1 innings pitched.On Friday, Martinez opted out of the remaining year on his deal that he signed with the Reds before last season, allowing him to enter free agency ahead of 2025.By extending a qualifying offer to Martinez worth $21.05 million, the Reds would receive draft-pick compensation if he signed with another club.Martinez can choose to accept the qualifying offer and return to the Reds on a one-year deal or negotiate a new deal to return to Cincinnati in free agency. He is also eligible to negotiate a contract with the other 29 MLB teams.Martinez spent most of the season's first half in Cincinnati's bullpen but became an integral part of the Reds' rotation by the second half of the 2024 season.Over his final 11 starts with the Reds, dating to Aug. 5, the right-hander delivered a 2.42 ERA in 63.1 innings, while striking out 53 hitters.