Closer Emilio Pagán declined his $10M player option, joining Eugenio Suárez and Pierce Johnson (mutual options declined by the Reds) in free agency. Pagán went 19-for-19 in saves after July 1, so the Reds now need a new closer. 🔒
Reds declined their $16M mutual option on Eugenio Suárez, making the 35-year-old third baseman (351 career HR) a free agent. Pierce Johnson's option was also declined, and Emilio Pagán opted out. Three exits, 35 on the 40-man. 📉
MLB Trade Rumors (Reds): Reds Decline Mutual Options For Eugenio Suárez, Pierce Johnson
Brady Singer's 5.85 ERA and 5.62 FIP made 2026 his worst season, yet Spotrac projects two years and $33.5 million. The argument: at that price, the Reds should pass on a reunion, however reliable his 150-plus innings may be. 🚫
MLB Trade Rumors (Reds): Emilio Pagán Declines Player Option
Reds fans get a trade idea, not a deal: a FanSided pitch suggests Houston's Isaac Paredes (.262/.360/.447, 25 HR) could fix a 75-87 offense that struck out too much. Nothing is reported as agreed, and the Dec. 2 lockout looms. ⏳
Opinion piece: trading Elly De La Cruz, who is arbitration-eligible and reportedly turned down a Reds extension offer, would admit the franchise failed to build around him. No concrete rumors exist, though speculation about a winter trade is growing. 🔥
Reds may be priced out of Nick Martinez, projected at 2 years/$42M. Free agent Aaron Civale, a former Terry Francona pupil, is floated as a cheaper fit at an estimated $6.7M, after a 1.72 ERA in relief for the Cubs. 💰
Cam Collier's power returned in 2026 (18 homers), but his slash line fell to .209/.286/.368 over 135 Double-A games. That undercuts the Reds' ideal of Collier and Sal Stewart bookending the 2027 infield. Third base remains a puzzle. 🧩
Emilio Pagán has until Nov. 2 to decide on his $10M player option for 2027, and most expect him to stay. Hunter Greene (Tommy John, out all of 2027), Spencer Steer and Blake Dunn returned to the 40-man; Rece Hinds got a new MLB deal.
Reds reportedly are open to trading Elly De La Cruz this offseason, per insider Jim Bowden. The 24-year-old hit .283 with a 142 OPS+, 30 homers and 30 steals, but he's now arbitration-eligible and no long-term deal is in place. Nothing is confirmed. 🤔
Jim Bowden says the Reds should consider trading Elly De La Cruz this offseason, with the Dodgers as a logical fit. It's speculation, not a report of talks. De La Cruz hit .283 with 30 homers and 30 steals, and he's heading into arbitration. 🤔
The Astros declined Ryan Weiss' $5 million option, making the right-hander a free agent. The budget-minded Reds could take a flier on him: a 95 mph heater and plus sweeper, plus a 1.08 ERA over three late Triple-A starts. 🎯
A FanSided prediction piece floats Elly De La Cruz to the Dodgers in a hypothetical five-player deal. The Reds would get Emmet Sheehan plus prospects Mike Sirota, Zach Root and Kellon Lindsey. It's speculation, not a reported trade. 🎯
Sal Stewart is a leading NL Rookie of the Year candidate after hitting .263 with 32 homers and 112 RBIs in all 162 games. He's the only Reds rookie with 30 HR and 100 RBI. Finalists will be announced Nov. 2. 🏆
Zac Gallen is floated as an ideal Reds bounce-back target: a former top-30 starter coming off a 6.07 ERA and elbow inflammation. Spotrac projects a one-year, $7.3M deal, though the article flags one hurdle. Upside on a discount, health permitting. 🎯
Taylor Ward is floated as a possible Reds outfield target this offseason. Coming off a down 2026 (.225/.359/.359, seven homers), he still posted elite walk and chase rates and could give a lefty-heavy outfield a right-handed bat. 🎯
Hunter Greene was reinstated from the 60-day IL in routine postseason roster cleanup, but don't read it as a recovery update. He's still rehabbing from a second Tommy John surgery and is projected to miss all of 2027. 🩺
Jim Bowden projects Tyler Stephenson at two years, $16M, with the Reds listed among likely suitors. The price looks fair for a top defensive catcher, yet the Reds haven't committed, and top prospect Alfredo Duno looms. Mutual interest, zero urgency. 🤝
With the World Series over, the Reds' offseason clock starts. They get a five-day exclusive window with free agents Tyler Stephenson and Brock Burke, then option decisions on Emilio Pagan and Eugenio Suarez. A likely lockout after Dec. 1 hangs over everything. ⏳
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