Reds release three veterans as they enter free agency
Emilio Pagán, Eugenio Suárez, and Pierce Johnson all become free agents after contract options were declined or rejected.
By Marta Gray ·
The Cincinnati Reds have moved to reshape their roster for the upcoming season by releasing three veteran players. All three athletes will now enter the open market as free agents. The club made these decisions on Saturday, clearing space for new signings or internal promotions.
The financial implications are substantial. The team declined a mutual option worth 16 million dollars for third baseman Eugenio Suárez. They also declined a reciprocal option worth 8 million dollars for right-hander Pierce Johnson. Johnson will receive a one million dollar buyout payment from the severance of his contract. Closer Emilio Pagán rejected a team option that would have extended his deal for 10 million dollars in 2027. His decision leaves him without a guaranteed salary for the next season.
Pagán, a 35-year-old reliever, finished the previous season with a 5-1 record and a 3.38 earned average. He secured 25 saves in 28 save opportunities. His time on the mound was interrupted by a left hamstring strain that kept him out from May 5 to July 3. Over his ten-year career, he has recorded 90 saves. His last three seasons were spent with Cincinnati.
Suárez, also 35, played in 125 games last year. He hit .212 with 26 home runs and 74 runs batted in. His performance came under a one-year contract that guaranteed 15 million dollars. A left oblique strain sidelined him from April 22 to May 23. Before the regular season, he helped Venezuela win the World Baseball Classic. He hit the walk-off double in a 3-2 victory against the United States in the final.
Johnson, 35, appeared in 56 games as a reliever. He posted a 2-1 record with a 4.65 earned average and one save. Right elbow inflammation kept him off the field from May 26 to June 23. His base salary was 5.5 million dollars. His total guaranteed compensation was 6.5 million dollars. He also earned 300,000 dollars in performance bonuses based on games pitched.
The Reds now face the task of replacing production from the bullpen and the middle of the lineup. The three players will likely be active in negotiations with other organizations in the coming weeks. Their availability signals a shift in the team's strategy for the 2027 season.
