Tigers Reportedly Sign Emilio Pagán to One-Year, $11M Deal

The short version: The Detroit Tigers and reliever Emilio Pagán have agreed to a one-year, $11 million deal, according to MLB.com, pending a physical. Pagán turns 36 next season and has a 3.07 ERA over the last two years, with opponents hitting just .185 against him. It’s one of the first real free agent signings of the offseason, and exactly the kind of deal I expected before the lockout.

Who Is Emilio Pagán?

Pagán has been around. He’s pitched for the Mariners, A’s, Rays, Padres, Twins and Reds, and his results have gone up and down depending on the year.

The last two seasons have been the best stretch of his career:

• A 3.07 ERA over 111⅓ innings.

• A .185 batting average against.

• In 2025, his expected batting average against (.181) ranked sixth in all of baseball, behind names like Josh Hader, Mason Miller and Edwin Díaz.

He still throws hard, averaging 94.9 mph with his four-seamer this year, and pairs it with a cutter and a splitter.

Is Emilio Pagán Worth $11 Million?

For one year, I think it’s a smart deal for Detroit, with two warning signs.

The case for it: The Tigers aren’t locking themselves in. A one-year deal for a reliever with elite contact numbers is about as low risk as free agency gets. If he’s good, they have a reliable late-inning arm for a contender. If he isn’t, they’re off the hook next winter.

The warning signs:

• The hamstring. A grade 2 left hamstring strain cost him nearly two months last season, and he only made 45 appearances.

• The splitter. It went from one of his best pitches in 2025 to a below-average one in 2026. For a 36-year-old reliever, that’s worth watching.

Eleven million is a lot for a setup man. But the Tigers are buying the version of Pagán from the last two years, not the one from earlier in his career, and the underlying numbers support that.

Why Are the Tigers Spending Now?

Because they’re building something. Detroit already locked up AL Rookie of the Year Kevin McGonigle with an eight-year, $150 million extension a month into his career, and Dillon Dingler just won a Gold Glove behind the plate. The core is young, good and under control. Now it’s about adding pieces around it.

A proven late-inning arm on a short deal is exactly what a team in that position should be buying. You don’t need a five-year commitment to a reliever. You need someone to get big outs in September and October.

Read more about McGonigle’s Rookie of the Year season.

What Does This Signing Say About the Offseason?

On our Episode 381 show, I said free agency would be a snooze fest heading into the lockout, not a Black Friday rush. I expected depth players and short deals to get done while the big contracts wait until owners know the new rules.

This is that deal: one year, a veteran reliever, and no long-term risk. Expect more like it before the collective bargaining agreement expires on December 1. The $300 million contracts aren’t happening until everyone knows whether a salary cap is coming. For where those negotiations stand, see our Episode 382 breakdown of MLB’s latest salary cap offer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did the Tigers sign Emilio Pagán?

The Tigers and Pagán have reportedly agreed to a one-year, $11 million contract, pending a physical. The team had not confirmed the deal as of this writing.

How much is Emilio Pagán’s contract?

One year and $11 million, according to MLB.com.

What teams has Emilio Pagán played for?

The Mariners, A’s, Rays, Padres, Twins and Reds before agreeing to terms with Detroit.

How good has Emilio Pagán been recently?

Over the last two seasons, Pagán has a 3.07 ERA in 111⅓ innings, and opponents have hit just .185 against him.

Will MLB free agents sign before the lockout?

Some will, mostly veterans on shorter deals like this one. The biggest contracts are expected to wait until a new collective bargaining agreement is in place.

Where can I hear more?

We’ll break down every signing on Rounding Third, live Sunday and Thursday nights on YouTube and Facebook. Read more in The Rounding Third Rundown, or explore every show on the Rounding Third Media Network.