ANNOUNCED DEAL: The Cincinnati Reds have officially acquired a top pitcher from the Boston Red Sox for a record $250 million, setting a team record. However.

As he recovers from offseason sports hernia surgery, Cincinnati Reds’ reliever Emilio Pagan will be delayed as Cactus League play begins.

Per Charlie Goldsmith of the Cincinnati Inquirer on social media:

Emilio Pagán (offseason sports hernia surgery) is throwing bullpens, but he won’t be ready for the start of the Cactus League schedule. Graham Ashcraft (toe) is ready for spring training games. Nick Lodolo (tibia) just threw a bullpen, which David Bell said will shape his next steps. 

Pagan signed a two-year deal with the Reds just after Thanksgiving and looks like he’s headed for a big role in David Bell’s bullpen. In addition to Pagan, the Reds have brought in Frankie Montas and Nick Martinez as well this offseason. It’s been a concerted effort to get better and more durable in the pitching department.

The 32-year-old Pagan is a hard-throwing righty who is coming off a successful year with the Minnesota Twins. With Minnesota, he appeared in 66 games in 2023, going 5-2 with a 2.99 ERA. He struck out 65 batters in 69.1 innings.

The Twins won the American League Central and advanced to the American League Division Series. The Reds are hoping Pagan can bring that same success to the Queen City. They haven’t made the playoffs since the COVID 2020 season and went 82-80 last year, finishing third in the National League Central.

Pagan has spent seven years in the majors with the Seattle Mariners, San Diego Padres, Tampa Bay Rays, and Twins. He debuted with Seattle in 2017 and owns a lifetime 22-18 record with a 3.71 ERA. He has struck out 456 batters in 400 career innings. He had 20 saves for the Rays in the 2019 season, so it’s possible that he could work in a high-leverage role.