The bullpen the Cincinnati Reds rely on for the 2025 season will apparently undergo an overhaul this winter. Nick Martinez, Emilio Pagan, Scott Barlow and Brent Suter were all set to hit free agency, while others like Ian Gibbault also ended up leaving the organization after some executive decisions.
Pagan re-signed, which helped. Keegan Thompson was initially brought in, though he again fell through a waiver claim before pitching for the club. On top of that, Chase Burns — who pitched admirably as a reliever in the game — will earn a spot in the team’s starting rotation, while their overall pitching depth will be further tested by Zack Littel becoming a free agent after being acquired at the July trade deadline.
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As roles continue to be redefined, left-hander Caleb Ferguson was brought in to stabilize the team. no He comes from the left wing after Tyler Rogers’ brief spell with the club and Suter’s free agency. Brandon Williamson and Julian Aguiar will likely provide depth in some form or fashion, whether as starting depth at the AAA level or as a long backup, while Rhett Lord is healthy again and could fill the hole in the rotation.
Still, the team needs another anchor on the right wing, one similar to what Barlow and Buck Farmer have had in recent seasons. They addressed that in a big way on Sunday, as MLB Network insider Jon Heyman revealed that they’ve reached an agreement with free agent righty Pierce Johnson, who became a free agent at the end of the season after the Atlanta Braves bought out his option.
The former first-rounder is entering his age-35 season and has established himself as a reliable reliever after a career that bounced him around the major leagues (even sending him to Japan at one point). Since being poached by the Braves midway through the 2023 season, he’s established himself as a presence in the bullpen, posting a 2.91 ERA and 3.61 FIP (139.0 IP) in 147 games.
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Specifically in 2025, he pitched 59.0 IP, a 3.05 ERA/3.91 FIP, and hit 72.1% of his curveballs. At times, he’ll mix in a four-seam fastball with an average velocity between 95-96 mph and a cutter, though it remains to be seen if Derrick Johnson has anything else up his sleeve for the Denver, Colorado-born right-hander.
Johnson will make $7 million in each of the 2024 and 2025 seasons, although Atlanta bought him out for $250,000 this offseason to avoid paying him another $7 million in 2026. It remains to be seen how much the Reds will shoulder in this deal, although I’m sure we’ll hear more details soon. What’s certain is that this deal will eat up a large portion of the Reds’ remaining meager budget, so how they pivot to address their offense after this is a question for all involved.
Regardless, their pitching staff is much better after this signing. Welcome here, Pierce.
