Emilio Pagan wants to stay with the Cincinnati Reds even as he explores free agent options.
However, Pagan will return to the club as a closer after finalizing a two-year deal worth $20 million on Thursday. He has the right to opt out after the 2026 season.
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“It was a very easy choice to come back. I love what we have going on here,” Pagan said. “At the end of the day, I’m not going to make a decision based on who’s paying me the most money. I want to go to a place where I feel comfortable, where I feel like I have a chance to win games and be with a special group of guys, and Cincinnati ticks all three boxes.”
The 34-year-old right-hander emerged as the Reds’ closer early last season, going 2-4 with a 2.88 ERA and a career-high 32 saves in 38 opportunities. He was second in the National League in saves and tied for fifth in the majors.
Pagan said one area he hopes to improve is using his split-finger fastball more. He felt he had established good court command at the end of last season.
Pagan is primarily a fourth-down fastball pitcher, with splitters and cutters being used almost equally with his secondary.
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“Throughout the year, while the results have been good, the movement patterns have been a little inconsistent. So I finally feel like I know the action on the field. If you know which way the ball is going to go, it’s a lot easier to throw it where you want it to go,” he said. “In my opinion, the splitter has changed the way I attack left- and right-handed hitters. So for me, it’s just about being more consistent with the pitching.”
Pagan, who went 28-27 with a 3.66 ERA and 65 saves in nine major league seasons with Seattle, Oakland, Tampa Bay, San Diego, Minnesota and Cincinnati, will be one of the elder statesmen on a pitching staff with a young starting rotation. Right-hander Hunter Greene is the team’s ace, followed by left-hander duo Andrew Abbott and Nick Lodolo.
Cincinnati made the playoffs in Terry Franco’s first year and has plenty of momentum this offseason. The Reds eventually defeated the New York Mets 83-79 to secure the final wild card spot in the National League.
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Associated Press MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
