Emilio Pagán's comments will have nostalgic Reds' fans excited for the 2025 season

Reds reliever Emilio Pagán had a somewhat forgettable first season in Cincinnati. The reliever signed a two-year deal, $16 million deal after a successful season with the Minnesota Twins in 2023, but injuries derailed the veteran's 2024 campaign quickly.

Pagán landed on the injured list with triceps tightness in mid-May, and after a brief return in June, was sent back to the IL with a lat strain. The right-hander was pushed to the 60-day IL and did not return to the active roster until mid-August. In total, Pagán appeared in just 38 games and posted an unremarkable 4.50 ERA.

Emilio Pagán's comments will have nostalgic Reds' fans excited for the 2025 season

But Pagán will be a key piece of the Reds bullpen in 2025. With the departure of setup man Fernando Cruz, Pagán's role will likely shift to the locking things down in the seventh and/ or eighth inning, helping to bridge the gap to closer Alexis Díaz.

Pagán stopped by a local Cincinnati radio station as part of the Reds Caravan tour this week and spoke about the tradition of baseball in the Queen City. Pagán shared his knowledge of the deep-rooted baseball history of Cincinnati, citing the Big Red Machine and other top-level players who've donned a Reds jersey during their careers.

Pagán then shifted his focus from the past to the present. "There's a chance where we could have another golden era of Cincinnati Reds baseball," Pagán said to ESPN 1530. "I'm grateful to be a part of it now, and hopefully I can be a part of it for a long time."

Reds fans who witnessed the days of Pete Rose, Johnny Bench, Joe Morgan, and the Big Red Machine would certainly welcome another golden era of Cincinnati baseball. With names like Elly De La Cruz, Hunter Greene, and Matt McLain, the idea of returning to the mountain top might not be as far-fetched as one might think.

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