CINCINNATI — After the Reds were eliminated from the playoffs on Oct. 1 with two losses to the Dodgers in Los Angeles, closer Emilio Pagán sat quietly at his locker, taking in the moment as his teammates consoled each other.
With free agency approaching once again, Pagán hoped this wouldn’t be his final time with the Reds.
“I’d love to come back and make another run with these guys. Nothing’s guaranteed in this game, so we’ll see what happens,” said Pagán, who didn’t appear in either of the two postseason losses.
When it became clear that 2023 All-Star Alexis Díaz would not reclaim the closer role after starting the season on the injured list, the Reds entered the 2025 season without naming a replacement. Ian Gibaut got the first opportunity on Opening Day but blew the save against the Giants. The following day, March 29, Pagán took the mound in the ninth inning, retired the side in order, and secured the save—earning the job as the team’s closer.
Pagán, 34, delivered the best season of his career, posting 32 saves in 38 opportunities with a 2.88 ERA and 0.92 WHIP across 68 2/3 innings. His 32 saves ranked second in the National League and tied for fifth in Major League Baseball, while opponents hit just .168 against him.
Signed to a two-year, $16 million deal before the 2024 season, Pagán initially served as a setup man, recording a 4.50 ERA over 38 outings while missing two months with a right lat strain.
“When we signed him, we knew he had closing experience,” said Reds president of baseball operations Nick Krall. “He stepped into that role this year and really ran with it.”
Pagán proved to be a durable force in 2025, appearing in a career-high 70 games. He was particularly dominant down the stretch as the Reds made their playoff push, tossing 10 scoreless innings with six saves over his final 10 appearances — including four straight days of work during the season’s last week.
“Hopefully everything comes together next year,” Pagán said. “I’d love to be back here celebrating a World Series title. I truly believe this team is capable of that.”
The Reds have not yet reached out to Pagán or any of their other pending free agents about returning. According to president of baseball operations Nick Krall, ownership is expected to set the club’s 2026 budget by the end of October.
“We’re going to have to make some tough choices about who to bring back and how to reshape our bullpen,” Krall said. “We’ve got two players with options and several free agents. We’ll need to figure out how it all fits together.”
Among this year’s relievers, Nick Martinez is headed for free agency, while Scott Barlow and Brent Suter have club options for 2026.
The biggest bullpen decision, however, may be whether to retain Pagán — who will turn 35 in May. While the Reds have several promising power arms, including setup men Tony Santillan and Graham Ashcraft and young hard throwers Zach Maxwell, Connor Phillips, and Luis Mey, none has experience as a full-time closer at the Major League level.
