The Cincinnati Reds will need a new closer unless they can bring Emilio Pagán back. The right-hander declined his $10 million player option for 2027 on Saturday and will become a free agent.

Pagán, 35, went 5-1 with a 3.38 ERA this season. He saved 25 games in 28 chances while earning $10 million.

He missed nearly two months with a strained left hamstring. He did not pitch for the Reds between May 5 and July 3. He has 90 saves over 10 major league seasons, the last three in Cincinnati.

Suárez and Johnson can also leave

The Reds made two more moves on the same day. They declined a $16 million mutual option on third baseman and designated hitter Eugenio Suárez. They also turned down an $8 million mutual option on reliever Pierce Johnson, who receives a $1 million buyout.

Both players can now become free agents.

Suárez, 35, hit .212 with 26 home runs and 74 RBIs in 125 games. He played on a one-year deal that guaranteed $15 million. A strained left oblique kept him out from April 22 to May 23.

His year still had a high point. Suárez helped Venezuela win the World Baseball Classic with a tiebreaking RBI double in a 3-2 win over the United States in the final.

A bullpen in flux

Johnson, 35, went 2-1 with a 4.65 ERA and one save in 56 relief appearances. Right elbow inflammation sidelined him from May 26 to June 23.

He had a $5.5 million base salary on a deal that guaranteed $6.5 million. He also earned $300,000 in bonuses for games pitched.