The short version
- El Nuevo Día reported that Emilio Pagán declined a $10 million option for 2027 and became a free agent
- El Vocero reported that the Reds declined a mutual $16 million option on Eugenio Suárez and a $8 million option on Pierce Johnson
- El Nuevo Día reported that Pagán went 5-1 with a 3.38 ERA and 25 saves in 28 chances while earning $10 million this season
- El Vocero reported that Pagán missed time from May 5 to July 3 with a left hamstring strain
Puerto Rican closer enters free agency
Puerto Rican closer Emilio Pagán declined a $10 million option to extend his contract with the Cincinnati Reds for the 2027 season and opted for free agency, El Nuevo Día reported. The decision was made on Saturday, according to both El Nuevo Día and El Vocero.
Pagán, 35, posted a 5-1 record with a 3.38 ERA and converted 25 of 28 save opportunities this season while earning a $10 million salary, El Nuevo Día reported. He did not pitch for the Reds between May 5 and July 3 because of a left hamstring strain, according to both outlets. Pagán has recorded 90 saves over 10 Major League Baseball seasons, the last three with Cincinnati, El Vocero reported.
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Reds decline options on other veterans
The Reds declined a mutual $16 million option on Venezuelan third baseman and designated hitter Eugenio Suárez and a reciprocal $8 million option on right-hander Pierce Johnson, El Nuevo Día reported. Johnson will receive $1 million in severance, and both players can become free agents, according to El Vocero.
Suárez, 35, hit .212 with 26 home runs and 74 RBIs in 125 games under a one-year contract that guaranteed $15 million, El Vocero reported. He missed time from April 22 to May 23 with a left oblique strain. Johnson, also 35, went 2-1 with a 4.65 ERA and one save in 56 relief appearances while earning a $5.5 million base salary as part of a deal that guaranteed $6.5 million plus $300,000 in performance bonuses, according to El Vocero. He was sidelined from May 26 to June 23 with right elbow inflammation.
Where the sources differ
Both El Nuevo Día and El Vocero agree on the core facts: Emilio Pagán declined a $10 million option on Saturday and became a free agent; the Reds declined options on Eugenio Suárez and Pierce Johnson, who can also reach free agency. The outlets report identical statistics for all three players and the same injury timelines. El Vocero adds that Johnson will receive $1 million in severance and provides slightly more detail on his bonuses, while El Nuevo Día mentions Pagán's total of 90 career saves in the same sentence as his age and tenure.
What the reports do not say
The reports do not state whether Pagán, Suárez or Johnson have received offers from other teams, what their asking prices might be, or if any of the three intend to continue playing in 2027. The articles also do not mention the Reds' broader off-season plans or how the club views its bullpen and infield needs after these decisions.
Sources
Every link below was opened and checked when this story was published. Official means a government body, agency or the organization itself; Reporting means a news outlet.
- Reporting Emilio Pagán opta por la agencia libre en las Grandes Ligas
- Reporting Emilio Pagán rechaza opción de $10 millones con los Rojos y entra a la agencia libre
How we checked this
El Nuevo Día and El Vocero both reported the decisions by Emilio Pagán, Eugenio Suárez and Pierce Johnson. The outlets agree the moves occurred on Saturday. Details on performance, salaries and injury absences rest on both sources.
Compiled by the PuertoRico.com News Desk from the reports and statements listed above, and checked against them before publishing. It does not include original interviews. Spot an error? Email support@puertorico.com with a link to this story.
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