Eugenio Suárez Still on the Market - and the Reds Just Got a Clearer Path to a Reunion
Eugenio Suárez is still out there. And with every passing day, the possibility of a reunion with Cincinnati becomes a little more real - especially now that one of the Reds’ main competitors for his bat just bowed out.
The Los Angeles Angels, once seen as a frontrunner to land Suárez, have reportedly agreed to a one-year, $4 million deal with third baseman Yoán Moncada. That move likely takes them out of the Suárez sweepstakes, and it could open the door just a bit wider for the Reds to make a move.
Let’s be clear: Suárez is the biggest bat left on the free agent market. A three-time All-Star coming off a 49-homer season, he’s the kind of power threat that can tilt a lineup and change the tone of a season. And for a Reds team that’s been searching for some thump this offseason, the fit is obvious - at least on paper.
Cincinnati has been loosely linked to Suárez throughout the winter, but with the Angels now seemingly out of the picture, the Reds’ odds of bringing him back just improved. Other teams reportedly still in the mix include the Pirates, Red Sox, and Athletics, but the field is thinning.
What Suárez Brings - and What He Doesn’t
There’s no question Suárez would add serious muscle to the middle of the Reds' lineup. He’s a proven slugger, and after a 2025 campaign that saw him mash nearly 50 homers, there’s every reason to believe he’s still got plenty left in the tank.
But this isn’t just a plug-and-play situation.
Defensively, Suárez is no longer a clean fit for Cincinnati. Ke’Bryan Hayes is locked in at third base, and the Reds aren’t about to move one of the league’s best defenders off the hot corner. That means Suárez would likely have to shift to first base or settle into a designated hitter role - something that may not sit well with a player who still sees himself as an everyday third baseman.
There’s also the financial side. Suárez is expected to command a two-year deal in the neighborhood of $40 million.
For a Reds team operating on a tight budget, that’s a significant hurdle. To make it work, Cincinnati would likely need to move some money around - and that could mean trading a key piece like Brady Singer or Tyler Stephenson.
So far, there’s been no indication the Reds are willing to go that route.
The Competition: Who Else Is in the Mix?
While the Angels are likely out, other teams still loom. Boston, for one, just lost Alex Bregman to the Cubs and has a clear opening at third base.
That makes them arguably the best fit for Suárez from a roster standpoint. The A’s are also in the market for a third baseman and were reportedly eyeing Nolan Arenado before he was shipped to Arizona.
But with each passing day that Suárez remains unsigned, the possibility of a Reds reunion stays alive.
What’s Next?
The Reds have the need. Suárez has the bat.
The question is whether both sides can find common ground - on role, on money, and on expectations. If they can, there’s a path here.
But it’s not without its obstacles.
Still, with the Angels out and the market narrowing, Cincinnati fans have a little more reason to believe that a fan favorite might just be on his way back. Until Suárez signs elsewhere, the door is open. And in a winter that’s been short on fireworks for the Reds, that glimmer of hope might be the biggest spark yet.