After losing to the World Series Champions, the Los Angeles Dodgers (2-0) in the National League Wild Card round, the Cincinnati Reds will be eager to get back to it and rebuild their roster for another chance to take down the “evil empire.”
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Building around a core of players like shortstop Elly De La Cruz, outfielder TJ Friedl, and RHP Hunter Greene, LHP Andrew Abbott, and RHP Chase Burns, the Reds have a solid foundation that needs veteran leadership added to it to bring it fully up to speed with the top teams in the National League.
The Reds started that process by getting a jump early on free agency by signing veteran reliever and former Chicago Cub, Keegan Thompson, to shore up their bullpen for next season.
The Cincinnati Reds sign Keegan Thompson to a major league contract
Chicago Cubs catcher Yan Gomes and pitcher Keegan Thompson (71) celebrate their win against the San Francisco Giants at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images
Thompson had not appeared in a big league game since going on the injured list with a rib fracture in June of 2024 and had been relegated to the minor leagues ever since. Appearing in 33 games (five starts) with the Iowa Cubs in 2025, Thompson went 6-2 with a 4.50 ERA and struck out 83 batters in 64.0 innings.
This performance and his 2.67 ERA in 24 appearances in 2024 were good enough for the Reds to feel comfortable signing Thompson to a major league contract and making him a key piece of their bullpen.
The #Reds today signed RHP Keegan Thompson to a one-year Major League contract through the 2026 season.
Welcome to Reds Country, Keegan‼️ pic.twitter.com/n1B1KsXYkT
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) November 4, 2025
Keegan Thompson should be in the running for the Reds’ closer’s job
Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Keegan Thompson (71) walks to the dugout at the end of the eighth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Image
The Reds have a depleted bullpen heading into the offseason, with only a few of their core arms returning like right-handers, Graham Ashcraft (arbitration: $1.5 million) and Connor Phillips (pre-arbitration: $820,000), and left-hander Brent Suter having a $3 million club option, which the Reds have yet to decide on.
With their saves leader from last season, right-hander Emilio Pagan (32 saves), departing for free agency, Thompson should have a chance to be in the running to close, or at the very least be a high-leverage reliever. In his career in the big leagues, Thompson has recorded five saves in 227.1 innings, with two coming in 2024.
MLB: Washington Nationals at Chicago Cubs Sep 21, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs pitcher Keegan Thompson (71) looks on as Washington Nationals first baseman Joey Gallo (24) rounds the bases after he hits a three run home run during the sixth inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images
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