Emilio Pagán and his family never wanted to leave Cincinnati.
“But it obviously takes both parties to want to get something done,” he said.
After a monthlong process that accelerated in the past few days, their mutual admiration proved strong enough that the Cincinnati Reds had their 32-save closer back for another two-year run at improving on their 2025 playoff showing.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementReds Redsfest players coaches Redsfest list of players, alumni, coaches and broadcasters announced
Reds playoffs Hall of Fame W&W: Playoffs? What Cincinnati's Hall of Fame desert says about Reds
“Things progressed over the last week, probably more like 72 hours,” Pagán said Wednesday night, Dec. 3 after agreeing to a two-year, $20 million deal that includes an opt-out clause after the first year. “There were a few other teams that were making offers – they were nothing to really shy away from.”
Emilio Pagán, who saved a career-high 32 games last season, said there were other teams interested in his services but the Reds remained persistent about bringing him back.But he never stopped talking to Reds front office executives Nick Krall, Brad Meador and Jeff Graupe, he said. “And to Cincy’s credit, they were adamant that they wanted to get something done. And I’m thankful we were able to. I’m super excited to be back.”
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementHe’s not the only one.
Pagán said his youngest daughter immediately sent video to kids of others on the team she had become friends with once her dad got his deal done.
Pagán’s signing comes amid a steady flow of deals getting done in the week leading up to MLB’s Dec. 8-11 winter meetings, but the timing wasn’t as important, he said, as landing where he wanted to be.
“I wanted to play somewhere that I’m happy. I wanted to play somewhere where I thought we had a real chance of winning,” he said. “We made the playoffs this year, but I thought we were only scratching the surface of the kind of team the Reds can be.”
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe Reds have one of the top-ranked 2025 starting rotations in the game returning almost intact in 2026, along with a group of big-arm young relievers and, now, the return of their veteran force-multiplier closer.
If they can add a significant bat to the middle of the lineup – never mind closing a long-shot deal for the biggest of big-game targets, Kyle Schwaber – they might go into the season as one of the division favorites.
Pagán, 34, spent the last two seasons with the Reds on a two-year, $16 million deal, struggling with injuries in 2024 before running with an opportunity to close under first-year manager Terry Francona in 2025 and flirting with All-Star consideration along the way.
After filling the early void left by struggling former Reds closer Alexis Diaz, Pagán earned a career-high 32 saves with a 2.88 ERA, becoming one of the top closers in the league as the Reds embraced a “cockroach” role of survival all the way to their first playoff berth in five years. He struck out 10.6 per nine innings (against 2.9 walks).
Jordyn Pagan, the wife of Cincinnati Reds closer Emilio Pagan, wears a cockroach costume as the Cincinnati Reds celebrate clinching a playoff spot in Milwaukee on Sept. 28.“I’ve been fortunate enough and lucky enough to play in six different organizations with a lot of really special people in this game, so I’m aware now of things I like and things I don’t like,” he said. “There’s a lot of things in Cincinnati to like and to be excited about. Now it’s just up to us to go out and execute and win games.”
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAs for what’s next for the team – or what Pagán would like to see – “I trust Brad and Nick and Jeff,” he said. “I know there’s a few things at work that would be exciting. But I don’t want to speculate on anything that doesn’t involve me. I’m excited about the rest of the offseason. It sounds like there’s plenty of room to go get players that can impact our club.
“The core of our team is going to be the core (regardless),” he added. “Elly (De La Cruz is) going to be our best player. Matt McLain, Spencer Steer, Noelvi Marte – I could keep going. Those guys are our guys. If we can keep those guys on the field, I like our chances to go win a lot of games."
Pagán’s deal was expected to become final by the end of the week after a routine physical.
The Reds land a closer for less annual value on the contract than the recent signings this winter of closers Raisel Iglesias ($16 million, one year), Ryan Helsley ($28 million, two years) and Devin Williams ($51 million, three).
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe opt-out clause gives him protection and an opportunity to return to the free agent market next year if he continues to pitch at a level similar to 2025.
“But I’m really happy in Cincy. I’m not thinking about that opt-out one bit,” he said. “I’m thinking about how to give the Reds and our fans the best two-year run of pitching that I can give them and help this team win a lot of baseball games and do something special and create memories.”
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Closer Emilio Pagán 'super excited' to re-sign with Cincinnati Reds
AdvertisementAdvertisement
