CINCINNATI -- During the two-month stretch this past season while Emilio Pagán was on the injured list with a left hamstring strain, the Reds learned how challenging it was to operate without a proven closer.
Pagán declined his $10 million player option for 2027 on Saturday and became a free agent, leaving the Reds to figure out how to replace him.
The World Series champion Brewers just underscored again how vital a quality bullpen is for contending and making a deep postseason run. Eight of the top nine clubs in bullpen ERA made the postseason this year.
So, it's not just about having a dependable closer but a strong overall bullpen unit to bridge the game between the starting pitcher and the 27th out.
That's where things get dicey for the Reds, who were ranked 25th (4.68) in bullpen ERA. The club, which has several areas in need of upgrades, would like to get back into contention after finishing last in the National League Central division with 75 wins.
Having a good closer and back of the bullpen are important keys in realizing that goal.
Here are some potential options for where the Reds could turn in 2027.
1. Internal search
There are limited options the Reds can turn to inside the organization for relievers with significant closing experience.
Cincinnati's bullpen led the Major Leagues with a 2.23 ERA on April 20 and then had a 5.09 ERA over the final 139 games from April 21, which was ranked 29th out of 30 clubs. The bottom truly fell out when Pagán strained his hamstring on May 5 during an appearance vs. the Cubs and did not return until July 1.
Top setup man Tony Santillan, who was the team leader with 80 appearances in 2025, especially struggled during this stretch. Overall, Santillan had a 6.42 ERA in 44 games. He missed 49 games after going on the IL with a left oblique strain in June. A labral tear in his left hip required the 29-year-old to undergo surgery in September, leaving his status in doubt for the beginning of Spring Training.
Graham Ashcraft had a 4.08 ERA over 35 appearances and earned his first professional save on April 19. He was also out on the IL with a UCL sprain in his elbow from May 29-Sept. 6.
Tejay Antone completed a remarkable comeback from a third Tommy John surgery in 2026 and posted a 3.11 ERA over 58 appearances. But Antone's injury track record will always require that extra caution be exercised.
A 31-year-old rookie who was in independent ball as recently as 2025, Julian Garcia emerged as a dependable workhorse. Garcia posted a 3.13 ERA over 33 games from his June 23 big league debut.
Luis Mey (6.23 ERA in 29 games) and Zach Maxwell (8.31 ERA in 12 games) have big power arms that could one day be the stuff of quality closers. But neither pitcher has yet demonstrated enough consistent command to be successful long term in the big leagues.
2. Look around the market
The free agent market has some familiar names, but not many closers. It includes former Reds closer Raisel Iglesias, who spent the last three seasons with the Braves. Iglesias had a 2.55 ERA and 34 saves and made his first All-Star Game in 2026. There's David Bednar, who had a 2.47 ERA and 35 saves in 64 appearances for the Yankees.
Kenley Jansen has 498 career saves over 17 seasons and had 22 saves last season for the Tigers. Pete Fairbanks had a nice seven-year run with the Rays but went backwards last season for the Marlins (6.31 ERA and 19 saves in 46 games).
3. Bring back Pagán?
Of course, there's nothing holding back the Reds and Pagán from a reunion -- if they can agree on a new contract. The 35-year-old was a major clubhouse leader during his three seasons in Cincinnati and the club’s dependable closer for the last two seasons.
In 2025, Pagán had a career-high 32 saves with a 2.88 ERA in 70 appearances. In 2026, he had a 3.38 ERA and 25 saves in 45 appearances. That included going 19-for-19 in save chances with a 1.88 ERA over his final 30 games after returning from the IL.
Last offseason, Pagán returned as a free agent to Cincinnati, and his signing checked a big box on the club's offseason list of priorities.
Can it be done again?