Cincinnati Reds Sign Pierce Johnson to Strengthen Bullpen

The Cincinnati Reds just picked up another veteran arm for their bullpen, signing right-hander Pierce Johnson to a guaranteed $6.5 million deal. They’re clearly focused this offseason on shoring up late-inning reliability around a young roster that’s itching to contend.

With Johnson’s winding career and recent flashes of effectiveness, there’s a lot to be curious about as the Reds look ahead to 2026.

Reds Add Proven Bullpen Depth

Cincinnati’s bullpen keeps getting a facelift, now with Johnson, a 34-year-old reliever who’s seen just about everything in pro baseball. He started as a first-round pick, reinvented himself more than once, and now the Reds hope his experience translates into some much-needed stability in those tense, late-game moments.

A Career Defined by Adaptation

Johnson went in the first round of the 2012 MLB Draft but didn’t hit the majors until 2017. His early years were rocky, which led him in 2019 to take a leap and pitch for the Hanshin Tigers in Japan.

That decision changed everything. He dominated Nippon Professional Baseball hitters with a stunning 1.38 ERA over 58 2/3 innings and basically rebooted his career.

When Johnson returned to MLB in 2020, he landed with the San Diego Padres and put together three solid seasons. Injuries hit in 2022, though, and suddenly his free-agent outlook got murky.

From Struggles to Stardom in 2022

Johnson’s 2022 season was all over the place. With the Colorado Rockies, he just couldn’t get it going—he put up a 6.00 ERA and struggled with command.

But then came a midseason trade to the Atlanta Braves, and things flipped.

Dominance in Atlanta

With Atlanta, Johnson was almost untouchable. In 24 appearances, he posted a ridiculous 0.76 ERA, with a 36% strikeout rate and only a 5.4% walk rate.

That run earned him a two-year, $14.25 million extension and a club option for 2026. His strikeouts and command dipped a bit over the next two seasons, but he still put up a respectable 3.36 ERA and 3.77 FIP in 115 1/3 innings. The Braves let him walk after declining his 2026 option, so now he’s Cincinnati’s gain.

How Johnson Fits in Cincinnati

Heading into his age-35 season, Johnson joins a Reds bullpen that’s quietly turned into a real strength. The team already re-signed closer Emilio Pagán and picked up lefty Caleb Ferguson, so manager Terry Francona suddenly has a lot of late-inning options.

Projected Late-Inning Core

If you look at it on paper, Cincinnati’s bullpen hierarchy is actually pretty deep and flexible:

Behind those guys, former starters like Graham Ashcraft and Connor Phillips could give you multi-inning depth when things get hairy. That’s real insurance against injuries or slumps.

Rotation Strong, Lineup Still a Question

The bullpen’s coming together, but the Reds’ rotation already looks tough. With Hunter Greene and Andrew Abbott leading the way, the starting staff has the stuff to keep Cincinnati in games deep, especially with Francona calling the shots.

Offseason Focus Shifts to Offense

Pitching looks mostly settled now, so the Reds seem to have their eyes on the lineup. Young guys like Elly De La Cruz, Noelvi Marte, and Matt McLain show huge potential.

Still, consistency? That’s been tough to pin down. Maybe they’ll lean on internal growth, or maybe they’ll bring in someone new.

Offensive production might end up deciding just how far this team can actually go.

 
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