Reds Name De La Cruz, Pagán and Burns Team Award Winners

The Cincinnati Reds named three players as winners of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America Cincinnati Chapter’s 2026 Major League awards on November 4. De La Cruz received the Ernie Lombardi Most Valuable Player award, Pagán the Joe Nuxhall honor for team camaraderie and Burns the Johnny Vander Meer Outstanding Pitcher award.

De La Cruz, in his fourth season, had the best year of his young career, including a 30-home-run, 30-stolen-base season. He is the second Reds shortstop to reach that mark, after Barry Larkin. De La Cruz also achieved a rare combination of extra-base hits, stolen bases and walks early in his career.

Pagán received the Nuxhall honor for a second straight year. Known as a strong teammate, he has spent two seasons with Cincinnati and embraced the city. He opted out of his contract and is a free agent; a possible return to the Reds has been suggested, but no new deal was announced.

Burns was named the major-league pitching winner after also earning the organization’s top minor-league pitching honor in 2025. In 2026, he went 15-3 with a 2.86 ERA and 185 strikeouts over 154⅓ innings, despite struggles by the team’s pitching staff overall. His seven-year, $105 million contract covers his arbitration years and keeps him with Cincinnati through 2033. He could receive National League Cy Young votes.