The Cincinnati Reds have reunited with power hitter Eugenio Suárez on a one-year, $15 million contract, adding a much-needed bat to their lineup after last season’s playoff push. This move brings back a fan favorite who led the team in home runs during his previous tenure.
The agreement, which includes a $16 million mutual option for 2027 with no buyout, was confirmed by sources to ESPN and MLB.com, pending a physical examination. Suárez, 34, returns to Cincinnati where he played from 2015 to 2021, becoming a clubhouse leader and beloved figure. His deal comes after months in free agency, with the Reds seizing the opportunity to sign the top remaining hitter on the market.
Suárez is coming off a season where he blasted 49 home runs, tying his career high set in 2019 with the Reds. He split 2025 between the Arizona Diamondbacks and Seattle Mariners, hitting 36 homers in 106 games with Arizona before a trade deadline move to Seattle. Despite cooling off in the second half, he finished with a .228 batting average, .824 OPS, and a career-high 118 RBIs, demonstrating his consistent power threat.
In Cincinnati, Suárez is expected to serve primarily as a designated hitter, with occasional appearances at first and third base. The Reds have Ke’Bryan Hayes, a two-time Gold Glove winner, firmly entrenched at third base, and top prospect Sal Stewart slated for first base duties. This allows Suárez to focus on his hitting, benefiting from Great American Ball Park’s hitter-friendly dimensions.
The Reds’ offense was a weakness last season, ranking 26th in MLB with a 90 OPS+ and hitting only 167 home runs, led by Elly De La Cruz’s 22. The team made the playoffs for the first time in a full season since 2013, finishing 83-79 and securing a wild card spot, but struggled to score consistently. Adding Suárez addresses this gap, especially after failing to sign Kyle Schwarber, who returned to the Phillies on a larger deal.
Suárez’s durability is a key asset; he has missed just seven games over the past three seasons. However, he also led the league in strikeouts three times and fanned 196 times in 2025, the fourth-highest in the majors. Despite this, his power output is undeniable, with 227 home runs since 2019, ranking sixth in MLB, and 325 in his career.
His postseason experience adds value, as Suárez performed strongly in the 2025 playoffs with the Mariners. After a slow start, he had eight hits in the final seven games, including a go-ahead grand slam in Game 5 of the AL Championship Series against the Toronto Blue Jays. This clutch hitting and his positive clubhouse presence appealed to the Reds as they aim to contend.
With this signing, the Reds bolster their chances in the competitive NL Central, where they look to build on last year’s success. Suárez’s return symbolizes a reunion that could energize the fanbase and provide the offensive boost needed for a deeper playoff run in 2026.
