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By Michael DeRosa
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The Detroit Tigers are expected to be a busy team this offseason after their frustrating 2026 season.
It is clear that the Tigers have multiple areas on their roster that they should look to strengthen this offseason. Among them is their bullpen, as they could use a few more dependable relief pitchers.
Now, they have landed a notable free agent relief pitcher because of it.
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According to the New York Post's Jon Heyman, the Tigers have signed relief pitcher Emilio Pagan to a one-year, $11 million contract.
"Tigers signing top reliever Emilio Pagan. About $11M, 1-year, via sources," Heyman reported on X.
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With the Tigers not bringing back former closer Kenley Jansen, it makes that they have signed Pagan. Pagan will now provide the Tigers with a new relief pitcher who has experience as a closer. Thus, he will certainly be in the mix for Detroit's closer role for the 2027 season.
Pagan spent this season with the Cincinnati Reds. In 45 games with the Reds in 2026, he posted a 5-1 record, a 3.38 ERA, 25 saves, and 45 strikeouts. This is after he had a 2-4 record, a 2.88 ERA, 32 saves, and 81 strikeouts in 70 games for the Reds in 2025.
Pagan has also had an ERA under 4.00 in three out of his last four seasons. With this, he is a reliable relief pitcher, and he should provide the Tigers' bullpen with a boost because of it.
Pagan will also give the Tigers another relief pitcher who has a lot of MLB experience in general. In 522 career MLB games over 10 seasons split between the Seattle Mariners, Athletics, Tampa Bay Rays, San Diego Padres, Minnesota Twins, and Reds, he has posted a 33-28 record, a 3.64 ERA, 90 saves, and 626 strikeouts.
It will now be interesting to see how much of an impact he can make for the Tigers from here. If he can translate the success he had with the Reds over to the Tigers, he should be a strong pickup for Detroit.
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