Reds' closer debate ignores one uncomfortable reality even as Emilio Pagán tests patience

Cincinnati Reds closer Emilio Pagán is at the center of controversy after Monday's gut-wrenching 5-4 loss to the Chicago Cubs. He suffered his third blown save of the season, and in the process Cincinnati lost their fourth straight game. A number of Reds fans are calling for Pagán to replaced as the team's closer, but manager Terry Francona really doesn't have any viable options at the moment.

After posting a 2.88 ERA and registering a career-best 32 saves in 2025, the Reds signed Pagán to a two-year, $20 million contract this past offseason. He's failed to live up to that contract thus far — that's not up for debate. Through 14 games, Pagán owns a hideous 6.43 ERA and 5.86 FIP. In other words, this isn't a matter of the veteran being unlucky. He hasn't been good. Period.

Dane Myers' dropped fly ball that resulted in a triple off the bat of Cubs' outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong certainly didn't help Pagán's cause, but the Reds' reliever — as he always does — owned his mistakes following the loss.

"Quite honestly, I haven’t held up my end of the bargain. As painful as today is, I feel like I’m getting really close to being who I can be. I made two mistakes today, and they both got hit.”

The Reds don't have a suitable replacement for Emilio Pagán

Reds fans are bound to make the case for Pagán to be replaced as the team's closer. And while it's a fair debate, it's not as if Cincinnati has an adequate replacement on the roster at the moment.

Some fans are sure to advocate for Tony Santillan, but how quickly those same fans forget that the hulking right-hander gave up the go-ahead run during Cincinnati's 1-0 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday afternoon. Santillan delivered a 1-2 fastball down the middle to Oneil Cruz that the Pirates' outfielder lined into left-center field. The 29-year-old also owns an unsightly 15.3% walk rate.

Connor Phillips is sure to draw some support from the Cincinnati faithful. Most fans maintain that the former top prospect has the best pure "stuff" of any pitcher on the staff. That may be true, but Phillips also issued four straight walks during his previous outing and has just as many free passes as he does strikeouts. Walking batters during the ninth inning with a lead is not a recipe for success.

Of all the would-be replacements for Pagán, right-hander Graham Ashcraft might be the only one that makes much sense. He locked down his first career save earlier this season, and has a pristine 1.02 ERA through 17 relief appearances this season.

But much like Santillan and Phillips — and all the Reds relievers for that matter — walks have been an issue for Ashcraft this season. He's walking an untenable 16.9% of the batters he faces. He's also been Francona's go-to reliever when facing a tough left-handed hitters, and it's doubtful that the Reds' skipper would want to isolate that type of weapon to the ninth inning alone.

So while it's fair to criticize Pagán's performance thus far, it's not as if the Reds have an obvious replacement on the roster. As the season moves along, if Pagán continues to struggle, the conversation could become much more dire, and perhaps a clear frontrunner will have emerged.

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