Reds face major roster questions with these players entering free agency

The Cincinnati Reds are out of runway. This offseason is the moment where “fun flashes” either harden into a plan or fade back into noise. This past season was exactly what it looked like — a young, twitchy core that could hang with almost anyone, held back by run deficiency, and at times a leaky bullpen. This winter isn’t just about filling spots on a depth chart; it’s about figuring out what kind of outfit this front office wants to run.

That’s why this free-agent group matters. It’s not glamorous, but it’s revealing. Each player represents a fork in the road — a test of whether the Reds value short-term security, long-term upside, or something in between. Some of these names carried innings the club desperately needed. Others patched leaks when they weren’t dealing with their own injuries. Either way, this mix of experience and attrition tells you plenty about where the roster’s been, and where it might need to go next.

Reds free agency begins with tough calls on pitching and depth

Emilio Pagán, Reds reliever

Emilio Pagán assumed the closer role this season and, while the arsenal isn’t the sexiest, he gave the Reds what they needed most, leverage outs and calm ninths. The ERA was a solid 2.88, and the body of work held: strikes when it mattered, enough whiffs, and a willingness to take the ball on short rest. If there isn’t a clearly better plan on Day 1, it makes plenty of sense to roll him back to start 2026 in that job while the pecking order settles.

Nick Martinez, Reds starter/ reliever

Nick Martinez was the duct tape of this pitching staff. Spot starts, long relief, bridge innings — he handled all of it with a mix of competitiveness and calm. Every team wants a pitcher like that until it comes time to price one out. His market should be wide because that adaptability travels, especially for clubs that juggle workloads or expect rotation churn.

Zack Littell, Reds starter

Zack Littell is far from a headline act, but he’s the kind of pitcher every 162-game season quietly leans on. His mix of command and tempo played well in spurts, especially when the rotation thinned out. There’s always a place for a righty with a 3.81 ERA and throws strikes without blinking at leverage, even if that place changes zip codes every few years.

Miguel Andújar, Reds designated hitter

Miguel Andújar’s swing has always lived in that space between dangerous and streaky. He gave the Reds a few stretches where it all clicked. His future probably hinges on fit more than production, the kind of bat a team either plans around or keeps ready as insurance.

Wade Miley, Reds starter

Wade Miley gave the Reds only three appearances due to injuries for most of his year. He still talked like a pitcher chasing one last ride, less about legacy, more about proving it to himself. Fifteen seasons, eight franchises, and a quiet tempo some younger arms probably try to copy between starts. He turns 39 and may be trading in the cleats rather than returning in 2026.

Reds players with options

The option group, Austin Hays, Brent Suter, and Scott Barlow, sits in the gray area between flexibility and familiarity. 

Cincinnati’s young nucleus, Elly De La Cruz, Matt McLain, Andrew Abbott, and Hunter Greene, can only carry so much before the supporting cast has to firm up. That’s what makes this winter so interesting.

Whether the front office leans into continuity, creativity, or something completely different, this is the moment where the outline of 2026 starts to take shape — and everyone’s watching to see what version of the Reds shows up.