Eugenio Suárez is headed back to where his MLB star truly took off - Cincinnati. The veteran slugger has agreed to a one-year, $15 million deal with the Reds, with a mutual option for 2027. It’s a reunion that brings one of the game’s most prolific power bats back to the Queen City, and it couldn’t come at a better time for a Reds team that’s been hunting for more thump in the middle of the lineup.
Suárez isn’t a perfect player - few are - but what he does bring is undeniable power. Last season, split between the Diamondbacks and Mariners, he launched 49 home runs.
That number didn’t just lead his own teams - it would’ve topped the entire Reds roster by a wide margin. For context, Elly De La Cruz and Spencer Steer combined for 43 homers last year.
Suárez hit six more than that on his own.
Yes, the slash line (.228/.298/.526) leaves something to be desired, and the strikeout rate (29.8%) is high. But when Suárez connects, he doesn’t just hit the ball - he punishes it. That kind of raw power doesn’t just grow on trees, especially in today’s game where slugging corner infielders and DHs with 40+ home run potential are rare commodities.
And let’s not forget - this isn’t just any signing. This is a homecoming.
Suárez spent seven seasons with the Reds, the longest stint he’s had with any franchise. He hit 189 home runs during that time, including a career-high 49 in 2019.
He was a fan favorite, a clubhouse leader, and a consistent source of power during a stretch when the Reds were trying to find their identity. Now, he returns to a team that’s on the upswing, with a young core and playoff aspirations.
The plan, according to reports, is for Suárez to get most of his at-bats as the Reds’ designated hitter - a move that makes sense given the current roster construction and the need to keep his bat in the lineup while limiting wear and tear.
But while this is a big win for Cincinnati, it’s a tough pill to swallow for a couple of other NL Central rivals - especially the Guardians and Pirates.
Cleveland, in particular, had a clear need for power this offseason. They hit just 167 home runs last year, one of the lowest totals in the league. And while there’s hope that young bats like Chase DeLauter and George Valera can help boost that number in 2026, the bulk of the power still rests on the shoulders of Kyle Manzardo and José Ramírez.
Suárez would’ve been a natural fit in that mix - particularly at DH - even if Ramírez has third base locked down. Instead, the Guardians stood pat, and Suárez chose a familiar home.
Adding to the frustration for Cleveland fans is the fact that the Pirates reportedly offered Suárez the same $15 million annual salary - and were willing to guarantee a second year. But Suárez opted for Cincinnati, citing the hitter-friendly ballpark and his comfort with the organization. In other words, this wasn’t purely about money - it was about fit, opportunity, and familiarity.
That makes the Guardians’ inaction even harder to understand. They didn’t just miss out on a bat that could’ve helped them win now - they missed out to two division rivals, one of whom was willing to outbid them.
To be fair, Cleveland’s offense is in a better spot than it was a year ago. But “better” doesn’t mean “complete.” And Suárez, even with his flaws, would have added immediate, game-changing pop to a lineup that still needs it.
In the end, the Reds get stronger, the Pirates swung and missed, and the Guardians are left wondering what could’ve been. Suárez is back in Cincinnati, and if he brings anything close to the fireworks he delivered in his first stint, the Reds just made one of the most impactful short-term signings of the offseason.