Eugenio Suárez is heading back to where it all started - and he's doing it at the expense of a division rival.
The veteran slugger has agreed to a one-year, $15 million deal with the Cincinnati Reds, a reunion that adds a serious jolt of power to an already intriguing lineup. The contract includes a mutual option for the 2027 season, but the bigger story here is that Suárez turned down the same offer - and potentially more years - from the Pittsburgh Pirates to rejoin a familiar clubhouse in Cincinnati.
This one stings for the Pirates, who reportedly made a strong push to land the former All-Star third baseman. Pittsburgh was willing to match the Reds’ short-term offer and even extend it beyond one year, signaling just how badly they wanted to upgrade at the hot corner. And it’s easy to see why.
The Pirates finished dead last in slugging percentage last season, posting a league-worst .350 mark. That’s not just a red flag - it’s a flashing neon sign that the offense needs help.
Suárez, with his 325 career home runs and a .792 OPS over 12 seasons, would’ve provided exactly the kind of thump Pittsburgh has been missing. His 49-homer campaign in 2019 still echoes around Great American Ball Park, and after matching that total across stints with Arizona and Seattle last year, it’s clear the power is still very much there.
Instead, Suárez is returning to Cincinnati, where he played from 2015 to 2021 and became a fan favorite thanks to his big bat and easy smile. Over the last four seasons, he ranks sixth in fWAR among third basemen and has the second-most plate appearances at the position in that span - a testament to both his durability and consistent production.
But this reunion does come with a bit of a twist. The Reds already have Ke’Bryan Hayes - a defensive wizard and two-time Gold Glove winner - holding down third base.
Cincinnati acquired Hayes from Pittsburgh last summer, and he’s not going anywhere. That likely means Suárez will see the bulk of his playing time as the Reds’ designated hitter, giving them a potent bat in the middle of the order without compromising the elite glove work Hayes brings to the infield.
As for the Pirates, they’re left with more questions than answers at third base. Jared Triolo is currently penciled in as the starter, but his .227/.311/.356 slash line with seven home runs in 2025 doesn’t exactly scream long-term solution.
Pittsburgh clearly saw Suárez as a way to bridge the gap - a veteran presence with pop, leadership, and a proven track record. Now, they’ll have to look elsewhere.
Meanwhile, the Reds continue to quietly build a roster capable of making noise in the NL Central. Bringing back Suárez isn’t just a feel-good move - it’s a strategic one. His bat gives them depth, flexibility, and a proven run producer who knows what it takes to thrive in Cincinnati.
For Suárez, it’s a homecoming. For the Pirates, it’s a missed opportunity.
And for the NL Central? Things just got a little more interesting.