The Nationals are still trying to figure out how they want to attack their bullpen this winter, and one of the names that could have fit into that picture is already gone.
Emilio Pagan, a 35-year-old right-hander coming off a season that was solid but not exactly dominant, has agreed to a one-year deal with the Detroit Tigers worth around $11 million, according to Jon Heyman of The New York Post. The full contract details will be announced later, but the move takes one potential closer option off Washington’s board before the offseason market has really gotten rolling.
Pagan reached free agency after posting a 3.38 ERA in 45 appearances, finishing with 25 saves in 28 chances. Around the league, that was enough to make him a name teams were expected to circle. For the Nationals, though, the price tag may have been a little steep.
He’s entering his age-36 season, and his 2026 campaign came with some warning signs. A Grade 2 left hamstring strain cost him nearly two months, and while his 25.9% strikeout rate was still better than league average, it was also his lowest mark since 2023. The batted-ball numbers were less encouraging, too: a 26.3% ground-ball rate, 45.6% hard-hit rate and 10.5% barrel rate all sat well below league average.
Even so, Pagan would have represented a clear upgrade for a Washington bullpen that has needed help for a while. Now that he’s headed to Detroit, the Nationals have to keep looking.
Who they actually target remains unclear. Adrian Morejon and David Bednar would be the kind of impact arms that could anchor the group, but those names likely come with a price Washington won’t want to meet. Pete Fairbanks is another possibility, depending on what kind of deal he seeks after a rough 2026 season that ended with a 6.31 ERA.
There are also several other relievers who could fit a more middle-ground approach, including Bryan Abreu, Alex Vesia and JoJo Romero. If the Nationals decide to lean veteran, names like Kenley Jansen, Andrew Kittredge, Brooks Raley, Mark Leiter Jr. and Carlos Estevez could make sense as short-term fixes while the rebuild continues into 2027.
And then there’s the trade market, where Trevor Megill stands out as a possible target.
For now, though, the biggest takeaway is simple: one of the reliever market’s first dominoes has fallen, and Washington will have to adjust.
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