The Cincinnati Reds have welcomed back third baseman Eugenio Suárez with the announcement of a one-year contract worth $15 million, which includes a mutual option for the 2027 season. While the team has yet to officially confirm the signing, sources report the deal is in place.
Suárez, who is 34 years old, previously played for the Reds from 2015 to 2021, having notable success during his tenure, including a standout 49-home run season in 2019. Last season, he split his time between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Seattle Mariners, concluding the year with a batting line of .228/.298/.526 and hitting 49 home runs. His performance before being traded showed promise with an OPS of .897, but this diminished to .682 thereafter, which likely impacted his marketability as a free agent.
Ranked as the 14th-best free agent this offseason, Suárez was the highest-rated hitter remaining as February approached. He is known for his powerful hitting ability but struggles with high pitches, which has led to higher strikeout rates. His age, coupled with defensive challenges, raises questions about his long-term viability. Nonetheless, Suárez is expected to find a spot in the middle of the Reds’ lineup, providing much-needed offensive support.
With Ke’Bryan Hayes, one of the top defensive third basemen, already secured through 2028, Suárez’s role will likely shift to designated hitter and possibly some first base duties. This situation may affect the playing time of current first baseman Spencer Steer and promising prospect Sal Stewart, all of whom are right-handed batters.
Last season, the Reds made a surprising return to postseason play via a tiebreaker with the New York Mets, finishing with a strong 83-79 record, their best since 2021. However, their offense experienced inconsistencies, ranking 14th in runs and 21st in home runs, highlighting an area ripe for improvement. Alongside Suárez, the Reds only added outfielders JJ Bleday and Dane Myers during the offseason, indicating a focused effort to enhance offensive performance as they strive to build on last year’s playoff appearance.