Pagán Opts Out, Leaving Cincinnati's Bullpen Without a Closer

Emilio Pagán declined his $10 million player option for 2027 on Saturday, choosing free agency and leaving the Reds without an established closer heading into the offseason.

Pagán had been the top option in Cincinnati's bullpen hierarchy. With him gone, the depth chart behind him consists of Julian Garcia and Pierce Johnson — neither of whom carried the closer role in 2026. Brock Burke posted a 3.36 ERA across 84 appearances and logged two saves, but his profile is that of a high-leverage reliever rather than a ninth-inning anchor.

The timing adds one more item to an already crowded offseason to-do list. The rotation needs shoring up around Chase Burns, Hunter Greene is out for 2027 following Tommy John surgery, and the team finished 75-87. Finding a closer is a real need, but it lands behind larger structural problems on the pitching staff.