The Cincinnati Reds have made a major splash in the 2026 free agency as they are welcoming back third baseman Eugenio Suarez. The contract is a short deal, which could help him establish more value for the next time his contract expires, but he has a chance to help a team be a contender in a strong NL Central. Let’s take a closer look at this deal and discuss why he signed this contract a few weeks before Spring Training.
Eugenio Suarez Signs 1-Year Deal with the Cincinnati Reds
It is being reported by ESPN’s Jeff Passan that the Cincinnati Reds signed third baseman Eugenio Suarez to a one-year, $15 million contract with a mutual option for the 2027 season. Suarez split time between the Arizona Diamondbacks and Seattle Mariners in 2025, finishing as an All-Star for the second time in his career. He finished the season with a .824 OPS with 49 home runs, 118 RBI, and 91 runs scored over the course of 159 games. Despite an outstanding season in his walk year, he was only able to sign a one-year deal with a mutual option for the 2027 season.
He did struggle a bit with Seattle as he had a .189/.255/428 slash line in 53 games, but he has shown the ability to be a significant bat in the middle of the lineup. With a return to Cincinnati, where he spent 2015-2021 playing, this could be a chance to help a young lineup get a significant power bat.
It will be intriguing to see where he plays as the left side of the infield has third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes and shortstop Elly De La Cruz. He could be the everyday designated hitter who plays in the field for a couple of days per week.
Entering his age-34 season, he has shown the ability to swing and miss, posting a 29.8 strikeout percentage last year. It will be intriguing as the Cincinnati Reds are coming off a playoff appearance as the final National League Wild Card to now make a splash with one of the top hitters in the 2026 MLB free agency to boost the team.
