Soon after one of the Seattle Mariners, Toronto Blue Jays, Milwaukee Brewers, or (heaven forbid) Los Angeles Dodgers wins this year’s World Series, Emilio Pagán will once again hit free agency.
Pagán originally signed a two-year, $16 million contract before the 2024 season. By 2025, he had become the Cincinnati Reds’ closer after Alexis Díaz lost the job—and he thrived in the role. Pagán recorded 32 saves (surpassing his previous best of 20 from 2019 with Tampa Bay), posted a career-low 5.4 hits allowed per nine innings, and emerged as one of the league’s most reliable late-game arms on a playoff-bound Reds squad.
Now 35 heading into next season, Pagán is considering his next move. As MLB.com’s Mark Sheldon noted, the veteran reliever is open to returning to Cincinnati. He believes this Reds team has the pieces to contend for a World Series, provided the front office makes the right moves this offseason.
That said, the Reds have plenty of needs. Their offense faltered badly down the stretch, so adding a corner outfielder to build on what Austin Hays provided last year is a top priority. They’ll also need to rebuild parts of their bullpen, as relievers like Scott Barlow and Brent Suter could become free agents depending on option decisions.
Whether Pagán is part of those plans will significantly impact Cincinnati’s offseason. He’s earned a raise after two solid seasons, but president Nick Krall must decide whether Pagán’s 2025 performance represents his peak—and whether it’s worth investing further in a 34-year-old who could regress to the form he showed in his first Reds season (when he posted a 98 ERA+).
Elsewhere in Reds news, pitching prospect Rhett Lowder impressed in his Arizona Fall League debut Friday, throwing 21 strikes on 23 pitches while striking out three in two innings. It’s an encouraging sign in his path toward joining the 2026 rotation, especially with Nick Martinez now a free agent.
Meanwhile, ESPN’s Bradford Doolittle analyzed the Reds’ future following their postseason elimination by the Dodgers—though his forecast for the team might be a bit optimistic.
And finally, the NLCS begins tonight as the Dodgers and Brewers renew their rivalry in Milwaukee. Game 1 starts at 8 PM ET on TBS, and MLB.com has more coverage on what should be a highly entertaining series—unless, of course, the Dodgers win.
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