Pagán declines option with Reds, who turn down options on Suárez and Johnson

CINCINNATI (AP) — Cincinnati Reds closer Emilio Pagán declined a $10 million player option for 2027 on Saturday, deciding to become a free agent.

Cincinnati also declined a $16 million mutual option on third baseman/designated hitter Eugenio Suárez and an $8 million mutual option on right-hander Pierce Johnson, who gets a $1 million buyout. They also can become free agents.

Pagán was 5-1 with a 3.38 ERA and 25 saves in 28 chances this year, when he had a $10 million salary. He didn’t pitch for the Reds between May 5 and July 3 because of a strained left hamstring. The 35-year-old right-hander has 90 saves in 10 major league seasons, the last three with the Reds.

Suárez, 35, batted .212 with 26 homers and 74 RBIs in 125 games for the Reds under a one-year contract that guaranteed $15 million. He was sidelined between April 22 and May 23 because of a strained left oblique. Suárez helped Venezuela win the World Baseball Classic, hitting a tiebreaking RBI double in a 3-2 win over the United States in the final.

Johnson, 35, was 2-1 with a 4.65 ERA and one save in 56 relief appearances. Johnson was sidelined between May 26 and June 23 by right elbow inflammation. He had a $5.5 million base salary as part of a deal guaranteeing $6.5 million and earned $300,000 in performance bonuses for games pitched.

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