Home / Sports / Reds Lock Down Closer Pagán with Two-Year Deal
Reds Lock Down Closer Pagán with Two-Year Deal
4 Dec, 2025
Summary
- Emilio Pagán agrees to a two-year, $20 million contract with the Cincinnati Reds.
- Pagán recorded 32 saves, tied for second-most in the NL, with a 2.88 ERA last season.
- The deal includes an opt-out clause after the first year, pending a physical examination.
Emilio Pagán is set to return to the Cincinnati Reds after agreeing to a two-year contract worth $20 million. The deal, which includes an opt-out after the first year, signifies a key step in the Reds' bullpen reconstruction. Pagán joins after a highly successful 2025 season, where he served as the team's primary closer.
Last season, the 34-year-old Pagán recorded a career-high 70 appearances, achieving a 2.88 ERA and accumulating 32 saves in 38 opportunities. His performance ranked him among the league's elite, with his strikeout rate in the top 11 percent. He inherited the closer role due to injuries and ultimately solidified his position as the team's most trusted late-inning arm.
Pagán's impact was particularly felt in the final stretch, contributing to the Reds' first full-season playoff appearance since 2013 with crucial scoreless outings. This new agreement marks his third consecutive season with the Reds, following previous stints with multiple other MLB teams.
