The Cincinnati Reds are gearing up for the 2026 season, aiming to strengthen their pitching lineup after a successful 83-win playoff run. They've recently signed right-handed pitcher Keegan Thompson, a former Cub, to a one-year contract. This move comes as the team seeks to address the loss of pitching depth, with Thompson becoming their first big-league free agent signing of the offseason.
The deal is a split contract, offering $1.3 million for the big-league portion (prorated for time in the majors) and an additional $100,000 in performance incentives. Thompson, a 30-year-old former third-round draft pick from Auburn, boasts a solid career ERA of 3.64 across four seasons in the big leagues, primarily as a reliever. His versatility as a multi-inning reliever, coupled with his ability to start games, makes him a valuable asset.
Thompson's pitching repertoire includes a 93-94 mph four-seam fastball, a sharp cut fastball around 90 mph, and a curveball. The Reds' decision to sign him is strategic, as they also lost other key pitchers from their 2025 playoff team to free agency, including Nick Martinez, Emilio Pagán, Zack Littell, Wade Miley, and Ian Gibaut. With a limited budget, the team president, Nick Krall, confirms that the 2026 payroll will remain similar to that of 2025, emphasizing the challenge of finding roster improvements.
Despite the financial constraints, the Reds are determined to build a competitive team, and Thompson's addition is a significant step in that direction.
