The Cincinnati Reds wrapped up their season quite some time ago. Despite showing late-season urgency and clawing their way into postseason contention, their playoff appearance was brief and ended sooner than fans hoped.
The team displayed flashes of promise, especially down the stretch, but ultimately their journey concluded without a deep October run. That disappointment left the Reds and their fans waiting, watching, and wondering how the organization would approach the offseason.
Meanwhile, Major League Baseball continued on without them. The rest of the league battled through the playoff bracket, culminating in a dramatic and intense World Series matchup.
On Saturday night, baseball finally reached its finale: the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Toronto Blue Jays in a decisive Game 7, securing the championship and bringing the 162-game marathon plus postseason to its official end. With that final out recorded, every team—whether contender or rebuilder—could shift full focus to roster decisions.
Once the World Series concludes, the MLB calendar instantly pivots toward the offseason, particularly free agency. It marks a crucial stretch in which teams evaluate departing players, explore potential signings, and decide whether to retain familiar contributors or look elsewhere. Within hours of the Dodgers clinching the title, MLB released the official list of players who are now approved to test the open market.
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The Cincinnati Reds have five players whose names appear on that list:
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Zack Littell
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Nick Martinez
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Miguel Andujar
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Wade Miley
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Emilio Pagán
Each of these players carries a different reputation, background, and potential value, but all five bring experience. They are not rookies who are still trying to stick in the league; they are established veterans who have logged meaningful innings or plate appearances. Some made more impact than others, yet all contributed during the Reds’ 2025 campaign in various capacities.
Zack Littell, for example, has followed a winding path through the majors. His career has taken him through multiple franchises, and in baseball terms, he could be labeled a journeyman. However, his stint in Cincinnati allowed him to show another gear.
He found a rhythm in the Reds’ starting rotation and, in doing so, demonstrated that he could handle a consistent role. Littell evolved into a pitcher capable of delivering quality innings, giving the Reds a chance to win when he took the mound. It would not be surprising if Cincinnati considers bringing him back, especially because reliable starting pitching is always a premium commodity.
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Nick Martinez brings a different type of versatility. Across his career, Martinez has proven his ability to both start games and come out of the bullpen. This kind of flexibility is rare and highly valued, particularly for teams looking to navigate injuries or to creatively manage workload throughout a long season.
Some pitchers specialize exclusively in relief or starting roles, but Martinez has demonstrated success while floating between the two. A player like him can stabilize a pitching staff—he can fill any gap that opens, perform in emergency situations, or help manage bullpen fatigue. The Reds benefitted from that adaptability.
Miguel Andujar is a name many MLB fans will recognize from earlier in his career, when he emerged as a standout hitter with the New York Yankees. Although injuries and inconsistency altered his trajectory, Cincinnati acquired him during the season, hoping he could provide depth and spark the offense.
Andujar delivered when the Reds needed him most, coming up with timely and impactful at-bats late in the year. Performance in high-leverage situations holds weight, and Andujar supplied that. While he may not be viewed as a franchise cornerstone, he proved valuable and showed why teams remain intrigued by his potential.
Wade Miley represents the most veteran presence among the group. Miley has enjoyed a long MLB career highlighted by durability, soft-contact pitching, and stretches of high effectiveness. However, age and injuries have begun to catch up with him.
His time as a consistently productive major-league pitcher may be nearing its conclusion. Despite that, Miley’s experience and influence can hold value in a clubhouse, and his résumé speaks for itself. Whether the Reds opt to pursue him again likely depends on the direction of their rotation and their evaluation of his physical durability moving forward.
Finally, Emilio Pagán rounds out the list. Pagán is a strong relief option who has built a dependable career on handling late-inning responsibility. Reliable relievers are difficult to find—bullpen performance varies dramatically from year to year across baseball. Pagán brings established ability and experience, two qualities the Reds bullpen benefitted from throughout the season. His competence in relief roles makes him appealing not only to Cincinnati but potentially to several other teams looking to bolster their bullpen depth.
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While each of these players has a different skill set and role, the common thread is that all contributed at points during the season. Some provided steady innings, others energized the lineup, and some offered versatile pitching solutions. Free agency does not automatically signify the end of their time in Cincinnati—far from it. When players are declared free agents, it only means they are now allowed to explore offers from any club. That includes the possibility of negotiating new deals with their current team.
The Reds could realistically consider re-signing multiple names from this group. The decision will come down to contract terms, salary expectations, and the organization’s broader offseason strategy. If player demands align with Cincinnati’s financial and roster plans, maintaining relationships with familiar veterans can provide continuity and stability. For a club looking to build upon the progress and momentum of the past season, retaining productive contributors might save them from needing to chase uncertain external additions.
Ultimately, the Reds are entering a winter full of choices. These upcoming negotiations—whether with Littell, Martinez, Andujar, Miley, Pagán, or outside free agents—will influence how prepared they are for next season. Cincinnati tasted the postseason, even if briefly, and will now search for the pieces needed to push deeper next time.
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