Reds Sign Lefty Caleb Ferguson to One-Year $4.5M Contract

The Cincinnati Reds just made a calculated offseason move, signing veteran left-handed reliever Caleb Ferguson to a one-year, $4.5 million deal.

This isn’t just about plugging a bullpen hole—it’s a bet on experience, durability after adversity, and the belief that a proven lefty with postseason nerve can steady high-leverage innings for a team hoping to contend.

Caleb Ferguson’s Deal with the Cincinnati Reds

The Reds locked in Caleb Ferguson on a one-year contract worth $4.5 million.

They get another established late-inning option from the left side, which should help as they try to shore up their pitching staff and avoid those bullpen blowups that can ruin a season.

It’s a strategic, mid-tier financial commitment.

The contract shows real confidence in Ferguson’s track record.

He comes to Cincinnati with a clear job: deliver reliable, matchup-proof relief and give the manager more flexibility when everything’s on the line.

A Raise and a Statement of Trust

Ferguson’s new deal is a raise from the one-year, $3 million contract he had last season.

That bump says front offices still believe in his body of work, even with some recent statistical warning signs.

For Cincinnati, paying $4.5 million for a veteran who’s pitched for multiple contenders is a calculated risk, but one that could matter in October.

Breaking Down Ferguson’s 2024 Season Performance

Last season, Ferguson split time between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Seattle Mariners after a July 30 trade.

Despite the midseason shuffle, he put together a solid year and handled a heavy workload.

He adapted to new environments and stayed effective, which is huge for a reliever who might get thrown into high-pressure, unfamiliar spots.

Numbers That Matter: ERA, Workload, and Strikeouts

Ferguson wrapped up the season with:

That ERA, plus his durability, helps explain why Cincinnati wanted him.

But here’s the catch: his strikeouts per nine innings fell from 11.1 K/9 to 7.0 K/9.

For a reliever who’s thrived on missing bats, that’s a notable drop.

The Reds probably hope that with a few tweaks—maybe in pitch mix, usage, or mechanics—Ferguson can get some of that strikeout edge back without losing the consistency he showed last season.

A Veteran Resume Built Across Contenders

Ferguson’s bounced around some of baseball’s most competitive teams.

That kind of experience isn’t easy to find, and Cincinnati clearly values it as they rework their bullpen.

Over seven MLB seasons, Ferguson has put together a solid résumé and brings the kind of versatility managers love—he can work middle relief or handle late-inning matchups.

Career Snapshot and Team History

Ferguson’s career numbers so far:

He’s pitched for several teams, including:

The Dodgers originally developed him, and he broke into the majors with Los Angeles in 2018.

He stayed there through 2023, getting used to high standards and postseason expectations in a contending clubhouse.

Overcoming Tommy John Surgeries and Shining in October

What makes Ferguson stand out isn’t just his stats—it’s the path he took to get here.

His career got interrupted—twice—by Tommy John surgery, one of the toughest challenges for any pitcher.

Ferguson managed to come back from both major elbow surgeries and still deliver quality innings.

That says a lot about his resilience and commitment to pitching.

Two Surgeries, One Postseason Reputation

He had his first Tommy John surgery in 2014 and went through it again in September 2020.

Most pitchers have a tough enough time coming back from one, let alone two.

Yet Ferguson not only returned, he built a postseason reputation.

He didn’t allow a hit in his first 10 postseason appearances, which is honestly kind of wild.

For a Reds team hoping to play meaningful games in October, that kind of big-stage poise is a real asset.

What Ferguson Brings to the Reds’ Bullpen

For Cincinnati, this signing feels like a bet on experience and reliability just as much as pure stuff. Ferguson steps in as a battle-tested lefty who can handle all sorts of roles.

He could pitch in the middle innings, or maybe face tough left-handed hitters late in the game. The real question is whether he can turn around his strikeout numbers and still stay healthy.

If that happens, the Reds’ $4.5 million gamble might end up looking like one of the sneakier bullpen moves this offseason.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Lefty Ferguson, Reds finalize one-year contract