The Cincinnati Reds officially welcomed slugger Eugenio Suarez back to the organization in early February, bringing him in on a one-year contract with a mutual option for 2027. Suarez spent seven seasons of his career in Cincinnati, earning an All-Star nod in 2018, before moving on and establishing himself as one of baseball’s premier power hitters.
His return has generated excitement among fans and within the clubhouse as the Reds look to add more consistent middle-of-the-order pop heading into the 2026 season.
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The move drew an enthusiastic response from manager Terry Francona, who didn’t hide how much Suarez means to the club beyond the box score.
“Terry Francona said when the Suarez deal got done, he could have run from Tucson to Goodyear. Francona called Bob Castellini to tell the owner he appreciated it,” reported Charlie Goldsmith of FOX19. Francona’s reaction reflects both the personal and competitive significance of bringing Suarez back to Cincinnati.
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Suarez’s 2025 season was one of the most productive of his career, even as he split time between two leagues and two teams. He played in 53 games with the Seattle Mariners and hit .189 with 13 home runs and 31 RBIs while scoring 27 runs.
His on-base percentage was .255 with a .428 slugging percentage, leading to a .682 OPS in that stint. Those totals tell only part of the story, since they came after a midseason trade from the Arizona Diamondbacks and represented only a portion of his overall offensive output.
Across both clubs last year, Suarez still managed to be among the major league leaders in home runs and RBIs, finishing with 49 home runs and 118 RBIs combined between Arizona and Seattle.
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His power production and run producing ability are exactly what the Reds envisioned when they re-signed him, particularly in a hitter friendly environment like Great American Ball Park.
Suarez’s return is significant for several reasons. Cincinnati has lacked a consistent power threat in its lineup since his departure after the 2021 season, and Francona’s group now projects to have multiple dangerous bats capable of changing a game.
That depth should take pressure off younger players and create better protection throughout the order, while also giving Francona more flexibility when constructing lineups and navigating late game situations.
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Having a veteran like Suarez also matters in terms of leadership and experience. His familiarity with the organization and the city helps bridge generational gaps in the clubhouse and strengthens the group’s overall cohesion.
If Suarez can stay healthy and replicate anything close to his 2025 production, he could be a central factor in the Reds’ hopes of returning to contention. With Francona at the helm and Suarez back in the fold, Cincinnati’s offense looks deeper and more dangerous than it did at the end of last season.