The Cincinnati Reds had an electrifying season last year, highlighted by the emergence of rookies Chase Burns and Sal Stewart, who played pivotal roles in the team’s push for the postseason. On the mound, Hunter Greene and Andrew Abbott were dominant, while Elly De La Cruz earned yet another All-Star selection. Despite their strong finish and securing a playoff spot after the New York Mets’ late-season collapse, the Reds’ postseason run ended abruptly with a sweep by the Los Angeles Dodgers.
During the offseason, Cincinnati wasted no time revamping the roster, making several impactful moves ahead of Opening Day. Among them, re-signing closer Emilio Pagan to a two-year, $20 million deal stood out. Bleacher Report’s Joel Reuter even ranked Pagan’s re-signing as the second-best offseason move for the Reds, just behind the blockbuster acquisition of Eugenio Suárez.
Pagan’s return is a critical piece for the Reds’ bullpen. After a career-high 32-save season, he finished last year converting 32 of 38 save opportunities, including six straight saves in crucial late-season games. He posted a 2.88 ERA, sub-1.00 WHIP, and a 2.0 WAR—the team’s best single-season mark since 2019.
Having a dependable closer like Pagan provides stability in the ninth inning, allowing Tony Santillan, Brock Burke, Caleb Ferguson, and other bullpen arms to shift roles without worrying about closing out games. His consistency will likely be a key factor in Cincinnati’s success this year, giving the Reds a reliable foundation to build on.
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