Cincinnati Reds Release Three Veterans, Letting Pagán, Suárez, and Johnson Walk

Emilio Pagán turned down a $10 million club option on Saturday, opting to enter free agency rather than commit to another year with the Cincinnati Reds. The move ends his tenure with the franchise after three seasons as their primary closer.

The decision follows a 2026 campaign in which Pagán posted a 5-1 record and a 3.38 ERA. He converted 25 of 28 save opportunities while earning a $10 million salary. A left hamstring strain kept him off the mound from May 5 to July 3, interrupting his rhythm during the season.

The Reds also released two other 35-year-old veterans on Saturday. The club declined a mutual option worth $16 million for third baseman Eugenio Suárez and an $8 million mutual option for right-hander Pierce Johnson. Johnson will receive a $1 million buyout payment upon the termination of his contract. All three players are now free to sign with any Major League Baseball team.

Suárez spent the 2026 season on a one-year deal that guaranteed the club $15 million in total compensation. He hit .212 with 26 home runs and 74 RBIs across 125 games. A left oblique strain sidelined him from April 22 to May 23. The Venezuelan native also contributed to his country's World Baseball Classic victory earlier in the year, hitting a walk-off double in a 3-2 win over the United States.

Johnson appeared in 56 relief outings this season, finishing with a 2-1 record and a 4.65 ERA. He recorded one save. An elbow inflammation issue caused him to miss time from May 26 to June 23. His compensation package included a $5.5 million base salary, part of a $6.5 million guaranteed deal, plus $300,000 in performance incentives tied to games pitched.

Pagán now holds a career total of 90 saves across 10 major league seasons. Suárez and Johnson enter free agency with no remaining contractual obligations to Cincinnati. The club has cleared the salary commitments associated with these three players for the upcoming 2027 season.