Ranking Terry Francona's top options to replace injured Reds closer Alexis Diaz

The Cincinnati Reds will be without reliever Alexis Díaz to begin the 2025 season. The right-hander got a late start this spring after suffering a hamstring injury, and the lingering effects ultimately hindered his ability to get ready for the upcoming season.

This means that Terry Francona will enter the year without a closer (for now). Francona will likely begin the season with a closer-by-committee approach, but depending on the severity of Díaz's ailment, he may need to find a longer-term replacement at the backend of the Reds bullpen.

There are eight relievers on the Reds roster, and many have closer experience. While it's unlikely that Brent Suter or Ian Gibaut will take on the role of Reds closer, there are several relievers who could. But who would be Francona's best choice to toe the rubber the ninth inning with the lead when the 2025 season gets underway?

Ranking Terry Francona's top options to replace injured Reds closer Alexis Diaz

5. Graham Ashcraft, Reds right-handed pitcher

Ashcraft certainly has the makeup to be the Reds closer in Díaz's absence. A lot of fans describe Ashcraft as having a "bulldog mentality". While that, and his cutter, would certainly serve him well in that role, the Reds should get Ashcraft familiar with his new role before thrusting him into high-leverage situations late in games.

4. Taylor Rogers, Reds left-handed pitcher

Rogers isn't the worst option, especially if the matchup is favorable. Last season, however, Rogers had reverse splits, meaning that he may not be best suited for a lefty-on-lefty matchup. Rogers relies on his sinker/ sweeper combo and weak contact. The southpaw does not get a lot of chase, and is a better option for the seventh and eighth innings.

3. Scott Barlow, Reds right-handed pitcher

Barlow recorded 24 saves in 2022. That year, his velocity was sitting at above league-average and Barlow was able to get plenty of swing and miss on his breaking pitches. But Barlow doesn't get hitters to chase nearly as much as he used to, and he's lost the zip on his fastball. Barlow's ground ball rate is impressive, and he's able to limit hard contact, but last year's 12.9% walk rate makes the right-hander a liability with the game on the line.

2. Tony Santillan, Reds right-handed pitcher

Few pitchers (currently) on the Reds pitching staff are going to match Santillan's velocity. The hulking right-hander can spin the ball to the plate in the upper 90s, and Santillan struck out an impressive 37.7% of the batters he faced in 2024. Santillan may well fall into the role of closer, but Francona seems like the type of manager who'd prefer a veteran presence in that role to begin the season.

1. Emilio Pagán, Reds right-handed pitcher

Pagán battled injuries during the early part of his Reds career, but put up some impressive numbers down the stretch in 2024. Pagán allowed just one run in four outings this spring while also striking out five of the 17 batters he faced. Taking away Pagán's final two appearances against the Cleveland Guardians at the end of last season, the right-hander posted a 2.25 ERA, 2.42 FIP, and recorded 17 punch outs after returning from the IL in August.

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