The Cincinnati Reds aren’t wasting any time trying to backfill pitching depth losses on the roster as they eye a deeper shot at October in 2026.
Right-hander Keegan Thompson, who elected free agency from the Cubs last month, became the team’s first big-league free agent signing of the offseason, the team announced Tuesday.
The one-year deal is a split contract that pays $1.3 million on the big-league half (prorated for time in majors), plus $100,000 in performance incentives.
The Reds might have to get especially creative again this winter to give manager Terry Francona much in the way of roster improvements after their 83-win playoff season.
“Our 2026 payroll will be around the same as our payroll from 2025,” team president Nick Krall said.
The Reds ranked 23rd in the majors with payroll of about $119 million this year.
Thompson, 30, is a former third-round draft pick out of Auburn, who has a career 3.64 ERA in all or parts of four seasons in the big leagues, mostly in relief.
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He’s a multi-inning reliever with 23 big-league starts and five saves, who throws a 93-94-mph four-seam fastball and a good cut fastball (~90 mph), along with a curveball.
The Reds had five pitchers from their 2025 playoff team file for free agency: Swingman Nick Martinez, closer Emilio Pagán, starters Zack Littell and Wade Miley, and reliever Ian Gibaut.