As Alexis Diaz flamed out spectacularly to begin the 2025 season, one key question became one of the most critical for Terry Francona to address in his first season as Cincinnati Reds manager: who would be the team’s closer.
Emilio Pagán easily won the job, recording 32 saves while posting a 2.88 ERA and 3.72 FIP in 68 2/3 innings. The 34-year-old was tied for seventh in saves, 22nd in strikeouts (81), ninth in batting average allowed (.167), and 15th in WHIP (0.92).
Pagán was as excellent of a “backup plan” in the ninth inning as a club could have hoped for, and he should be well compensated for his services when he hits free agency this winter. Unfortunately, the positive vibes stop there. When questioned about Pagán’s upcoming free agency, Reds club president Nick Krall, as expected, declined to make any guarantees to his most essential reliever.
Nick Krall remains concerningly vague about Reds’ desire to re-sign Emilio Pagán
“Emilio Pagán has been an excellent senior leader for two years. He’s been a valuable member of this team. He ranks second in the league in saves. He fits perfectly in our bullpen. He fits with the culture of our bullpen. He’d be great to have back. Krall told Cincinnati Enquirer reporter Gordon Wittenmyer, “He’s a great guy.”
That’s fine to say, but it’s hardly much of an action plan. In light of his prior statements (he expressly stated that he does not know what the team will be able to do in free agency), it is troubling that the Reds appear to be unwilling to spend money on its finest players.
Notably, Pagán was the only member of the Reds’ bullpen who did not participate in the Wild Card series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. He has made three previous playoff appearances (2019, 2020, and 2023), however none of his teams have moved past the Divisional Round. Given his age (he turns 35 in May), Pagán may prefer clubs he believes have a genuine chance of winning the World Series. Of again, this might be his final opportunity to cash in on a hefty, multi-year contract, so his options for competing clubs with money to spend will be limited. Are the Reds among those teams? They definitely can be — their postseason berth this year gives them the appearance of a club on the upswing — and they may be one of the few competitive teams with the capacity to offer Pagán the closer position. However, if Krall’s words are any indication, the Reds may let their ninth-inning fireman test the market before entering into any discussions. If that happens, and Pagán eventually quits, it will be just another indictment of this front office and ownership’s unwillingness to invest what is necessary to build a contender.
