On Sunday, Cincinnati Reds and Eugenio Suarez agreed to a contract for the 2026 MLB season. The deal also reportedly includes a mutual contract option for the 2027 campaign. There is no question that adding Suarez will give the Reds' lineup a boost, but Cincinnati should still look to make another move.

The Suarez signing suggests the Reds would like to compete in 2026 once again. Cincinnati's starting pitching features the potential to be among the best in baseball. While bringing in Suarez gives the ball club another slugger, the lineup still has question marks.

Outfielder Nick Castellanos has been mentioned as a Philadelphia Phillies' trade candidate throughout the offseason. He previously found success in Cincinnati. Castellanos has been linked to the Reds this offseason. 

Adding him would give the Reds one more slugger who can help the lineup take a step forward.

Castellanos is not a terrific defensive outfielder. In fact, some teams may prefer to move him to designated hitter. With Ke'Bryan Hayes at third base in Cincinnati, Suarez is expected to handle DH duties in 2026. That means Castellanos would likely have to play one of the corner outfield positions if the Reds acquired him.

Noelvi Marte, JJ Bleday, Spencer Steer, Will Benson and Dane Myers are among the potential corner outfield candidates in Cincinnati. Meanwhile, TJ Friedl is the Reds' center fielder. 

Castellanos would likely provide an upgrade in at least one of the outfield positions. Marte had a respectable 2025 campaign and he will likely play right field, but Castellanos could earn the left field job.

Bleday is the projected left fielder on many depth charts. However, he hit just .212 with a .698 OPS a season ago. Castellanos had a down 2025 by his standards, but he still hit .250 and had 17 home runs. 

He also had inconsistent playing time with the Phillies. If the Reds could give him an everyday role, it would not be surprising to see him bounce back with Cincinnati. 

There are a number of reasons why Castellanos is the Reds' best option at the moment. 

First, he would not cost too much to acquire in a trade. The Phillies may be open to receiving just a prospect or two. 

Secondly, there are not many other position players currently available in free agency. While Jarren Duran and Brendan Donovan may be trade candidates, Castellanos would require less of a trade return. 

Finally, it would be intriguing to see if playing in Great American Ball Park -- which is known as a hitter's park -- could lead to a resurgent season. Castellanos played in Cincinnati in 2020 and 2021. While 2020 was a shortened 60-game season, the 2021 campaign saw Castellanos crush 34 home runs and finish the year with a .939 OPS.

Castellanos may not be able to offer that kind of production once again, but he'd likely still bounce back following his difficult 2025 season.