Cincinnati Reds Agree To Sign Ryan Madson

The Cincinnati Reds have agreed to sign relief pitcher Ryan Madson to a one-year deal, according to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports. Madson presumably becomes the new closer for the Reds, filling the role that has recently been filled by current free agent Francisco Cordero.

Madson, 31, has spent his entire career with the Philadelphia Phillies. Last season, he posted a 2.37 ERA and a 2.25 FIP over 60.2 innings while notching 32 saves for the NL East champions. Armed with a fastball that sits in the mid-90's and a quality change-up, he's emerged as one of the best relief pitchers in the game over the past couple seasons.

In Cincinnati, he'll likely take over as the Reds' new closer. The team already has Nick Masset and the recently-acquired Sean Marshall to set up the rebuilt Cincinnati bullpen. Aroldis Chapman could also factor into things depending on how his apparent conversion to the starting rotation goes.