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The 2026 World Series has ended, and at 4 p.m. CST on November 2, the 2027 offseason officially begins. The Cincinnati Reds front office made two early splashes by declining the options on third baseman/designated hitter Eugenio Suarez and right-handed pitcher Pierce Johnson. Those moves alone saved $23 million after accounting for Johnson's $1 million buyout.
The good news continued when closer Emilio Pagan declined his $10 million player option for 2027. These three decisions clear out aging players and free up $33 million in payroll space, bringing the 2027 payroll obligations to around $92 million—before factoring in any non-tenders.
All signs point to the Reds being in a strong position heading into the 2027 season, regardless of how collective bargaining negotiations unfold. The team has three superstars to build around: Elly De La Cruz, Sal Stewart, and Chase Burns. Add in a fourth elite player in Hunter Greene, who is expected back from Tommy John surgery in 2028, and Cincinnati has a chance to field a playoff-caliber team for 2027 and beyond.
Key Analysis
There are still housekeeping measures to address. While hitting coach Chris Valaika will return for 2027, the Reds need a new pitching coach—ideally someone with experience and a track record of developing pitchers. The Yankees' Matt Blake was available for a few weeks but recently re-signed. One recommended candidate is Rick Knapp, currently the Rays' assistant pitching coach, whose track record is nearly impeccable.
Knapp is known as a pitching whisperer who transformed Justin Verlander from a thrower with an 11-17 record, a 4.84 ERA, 201 innings pitched, and 163 strikeouts in 2008 into a Cy Young-caliber pitcher in 2009: 19-9, 3.45 ERA, 240 innings, and 269 strikeouts. Verlander followed that with another dominant season in 2010, then leveled up again in 2011, winning the AL Cy Young, AL MVP, and pitching Triple Crown with a 24-5 record, a 2.40 ERA, 251 innings, and 250 strikeouts. Several throwers on the Reds roster could level up under a guru like Knapp. Beyond his Detroit track record, the Rays' development of pitchers—new, young, and old—is a testament to Knapp's throwing and rehab programs.
Back to the roster: the team is top-heavy on talent, with a noticeable drop-off after the first 12 players on the 26-man roster. This offseason presents Reds ownership with a unique opportunity to build around these mega building blocks and set the franchise on the Rays/Brewers path to sustained success. Some top free agents who fit the Reds' current roster include RHP Nick Pivetta, LHP Jeffrey Springs, LHP Adrian Morejon, RHP Bryan Abreu, RHP Johnathan Loaisiga, 3B Alec Bohm, and C Austin Hedges. A reunion with right-handed starter Brady Singer isn't out of the question either, considering his three straight years of 31 or more starts per season.
Finding trade partners to fill out the roster is also paramount. On the trade front, the A's relievers LHP Hogan Harris and RHP Luis Medina, plus CF Denzel Clarke, are worth exploring. Others to spotlight in trades include Twins OF Trevor Larnach and Nationals OF Dylan Crews and CF Jacob Young.