Reds rumors heat up as insider ties bullpen needs to former Braves workhorse

The Cincinnati Reds bolstered the bullpen by re-signing closer Emilio Pagán and adding left-hander Caleb Ferguson, but president of baseball operations Nick Krall has been adamant that more arms are needed. Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon of The Athletic (subscription required) appear to agree with Cincinnati's top decision-maker, and the latest Reds rumors reveal another reliever who could be on the team's radar.

According to The Athletic, Cincinnati is eyeing bullpen help and may have circled former Atlanta Braves reliever Pierce Johnson. The outlet referred to Johnson as a sensible fit, and that would appear to be an apt description of the 34-year-old hurler.

Johnson was a first-round draft pick of the Chicago Cubs back in 2012, but after failing to find his footing in the majors, spent some time overseas in Japan. He returned stateside in 2020 and pitched for the San Diego Padres. After three seasons in southern California, Johnson signed a one-year deal with his hometown Colorado Rockies in 2023.

Reds Rumors: Former Braves reliever Pierce Johnson could be on Cincinnati's radar

Johnson was anointed as the Rockies closer to begin the year. Johnson, however, fell out of favor after posting an ERA north of 7.00 and was eventually traded to the Atlanta Braves. He reestablished himself as a legitimate reliever in Atlanta and signed a two-year extension after the 2023 season. Over the past two years with the Braves, Johnson has posted a 3.36 ERA while covering 115 innings in 123 appearances out of the Atlanta bullpen.

The righty has a three-pitch mix and relies heavily on his curveball. He offsets his use of the Uncle Charlie with a four-seamer that averages 95 mph, and can mix in a cutter from time to time. Johnson struck out nearly 25% of the batters he faced in 2025, and was even more effective (28.4% K-rate) in 2024.

The backend of the Reds bullpen is solid with the trio of Pagán, Ferguson, and Tony Santillan expected to do the bulk of the lifting in the seventh, eighth, and ninth innings. But finding a pitcher like Johnson, who could help bridge the gap, will be essential for the Reds as they look to fortify the bullpen.

Johnson would be a solid choice, and the mention of his name by The Athletic could be a sign that something is already in the works. As more Reds rumors continue to emerge this offseason, fans would be wise to keep their attention on future bullpen additions.