Four years after being traded from the Cincinnati Reds to the Seattle Mariners, Eugenio Suarez is making his way back to Cincinnati. Suarez, who had an All-Star season with 49 home runs—leading all third basemen—is the most formidable power hitter still available on the market. However, the Reds, a team known for its modest hitting, signed the 34-year-old to a one-year deal worth $15 million, with an additional $16 million mutual option for 2027. After finishing 21st in home runs last season, with only 14 homers combined from their third basemen, Cincinnati sought a player with significant power potential.
The last time Suarez reached his total of 49 home runs was six years ago during his tenure with the Reds, where he first emerged as one of the most powerful bats in the league at his position. The franchise hopes he can recapture that form as they reunite this year. In 2025, Suarez slammed 36 home runs in 106 games with the Arizona Diamondbacks before being traded to Seattle, where he quickly became a clubhouse favorite from 2022 to 2023. Despite this, Suarez faced offensive struggles following the trade, batting just .189 with a striking 35.9% strikeout rate.
Still, Suarez managed to hit 13 home runs in 53 games to finish the Seattle season, and his and Josh Naylor’s mid-season additions helped propel the Mariners to their first Division I title since 2001. In a crucial Game 5 of the American League Championship Series, Suarez hit two homers, including a game-winning grand slam that nearly sent the Mariners to the World Series. Unfortunately, they fell short in the last two ALCS games to the Toronto Blue Jays.
This offseason, concerns about Suarez’s age, declining defensive skills, high strikeout frequency, and his late-season retirement decision made teams cautious. This opened the door for the Reds to make a low-risk, potentially high-reward signing as they aim to end a four-year playoff drought and build on last year’s progress. Back in Cincinnati, Suarez returns to Great American Ball Park, one of MLB’s most homer-friendly stadiums.
What’s next for the Reds?
Last season, Suarez hit more than twice as many home runs as the team’s leader, Elie Delacruz, who tallied 22 homers. Suarez is expected to provide valuable protection to Delacruz in the lineup. However, Suarez might not be playing his usual position. Ke’Bryan Hayes, despite being a below-average hitter, is one of the league’s best defensive third basemen and is under contract for the next four years, meaning Suarez will likely serve primarily as the designated hitter. Additionally, 2022 first-round pick Sal Stewart is expected to get most of the first base playing time.
Regardless of where Suarez plays on defense, the Reds needed to add powerful hitting. After failing to sign Kyle Schwarber, this was their final opportunity to improve their offense in free agency. Between November and January, Cincinnati made minimal improvements to an offense that ranked 19th in OPS and 21st in slugging last year. They traded away outfielder Dane Myers and signed JJ Bleday but also lost Austin Hayes and designated hitter Gavin Lux. Now in February, Suarez’s addition brings much-needed stability to the Reds’ batting order.
What’s next for the Mariners?
The Mariners are focusing on a youth-driven strategy. They made two significant deadline acquisitions last season, adding Naylor and Suarez. Naylor performed well in the first half and improved further after joining Seattle, showcasing solid defense as a first baseman during 54 games, while posting an .831 OPS, nine home runs, and 19 stolen bases. The Mariners were so pleased with Naylor’s fit that they secured him with a five-year, $92.5 million extension—just short of one month before his contract was set to expire.
Though Suarez’s performance in Seattle last year was inconsistent, the team faced a shortage of power hitters after Suarez plus Jorge Polanco’s departure. There was speculation the Mariners might keep Suarez, but they chose to complete a youth-focused, contact-oriented approach instead. Recently, the Mariners agreed to acquire 29-year-old versatile infielder and 2025 All-Star Brendan Donovan, who still has two years of team control. Donovan’s .353 on-base percentage and low 13% strikeout rate should help address Seattle’s chronic strikeout problem, as the team has ranked among the top six in strikeouts over the past three years. He can also fill defensive gaps at second and third base, giving the Mariners flexibility while waiting for 20-year-old top prospect Colt Emerson to make his debut.
What’s next for the free agent market?
Starting pitching is now the focus. With Luis Arraez moving to San Francisco and Suarez landing in Cincinnati, teams seeking power hitters may increasingly look to trades. Veterans like Rhys Hoskins (soon 33), Marcell Ozuna (35), and Paul Goldschmidt (38) remain the top available free agents for teams craving offense.
For rotation help, there’s a strong selection as well. Framber Valdez, once considered the best starting pitcher on the market, is still unsigned, along with other notable pitchers including Zac Gallen, Zach Littell, Chris Bassitt, Lucas Giolito, and Max Scherzer.
Rowan Kavner is an MLB writer for FOX Sports, with previous coverage of the LA , LA Clippers, and Dallas Cowboys. A Louisiana State University graduate, he was born in California, raised in Texas, and returned to the West Coast in 2014. Follow him on X at @RowanKavner.
Fan Take: Eugenio Suarez returning to Cincinnati is a crucial boost for a Reds lineup desperate for power, possibly reigniting excitement around a playoff push. Meanwhile, the Mariners’ pivot towards younger, versatile players could reshape their identity for years to come, making this offseason a fascinating case study in contrasting team-building philosophies.
