The Reds and Eugenio Suarez agreed to a contract.
The Cincinnati Reds and Eugenio Suarez are reportedly in agreement on a $15 million contract for the 2026 MLB season, per Jeff Passan of ESPN. Suarez has played third base in the past, but with Ke'Bryan Hayes at the hot corner in Cincinnati, Suarez is expected to primarily DH with the Reds. His contract includes a mutual option for the 2027 campaign as well.
It is difficult to complain about this signing for a Reds team that needed an offensive boost. Between his time with the Arizona Diamondbacks and Seattle Mariners in 2025, Suarez crushed 49 total home runs and recorded 118 RBI. Cincinnati will benefit from this signing without question.
Eugenio Suarez Brings Home Run Prowess Back to Reds
This won't be Suarez's first time playing with the Reds in Cincinnati. After beginning his MLB career with the Detroit Tigers in 2014, Suarez played in Cincinnati from 2015 through the 2021 campaign. He has since spent time with the Mariners and Diamondbacks, but now he is set to return to Cincinnati.
Overall, the slugger finished 2025 with a slash line of .228/.298/.526. He is not a player who is going to hit for average or get on base at an especially high rate, but Suarez's power makes up for it. He's hit more than 30 home runs four times and more than 40 home runs twice in his big league career.
How Suarez's Presence will Impact Reds' Lineup
Cincinnati features a strong pitching rotation, but the lineup has been mentioned as uncertain at best. Elly De La Cruz is a star and Sal Stewart has a high ceiling, but the overall offense has question marks. Bringing in Suarez places an established veteran power hitter right in the middle of the batting order, however.
Suarez will likely hit behind De La Cruz, giving the Reds shortstop extra protection in the lineup. As a result, De La Cruz may see more pitches to hit which could lead to a huge season for him.
Signing a player such as Eugenio Suarez is exactly what Cincinnati needed. Of course, the signing is not official yet. The agreement is in place, though, and the deal should be made official soon barring any unforeseen circumstances.
The Reds made a postseason push last year. With a talented pitching staff and now a much more respectable lineup, this ball club will be worth closely watching in 2026.