With news that Eugenio Suarez is joining the Cincinnati Reds for 2026, it meant that someone’s opportunities were being taken by the slugger’s return to the Queen City.
Whether that person is corner infielder Christian Encarnacion-Strand is up for debate, but with Suarez’s addition as the designated hitter, Sal Stewart‘s late-season promotion and production at first base, and the Ke’Bryan Hayes acquisition locking up third base, it is hard to see a role for Encarnacion-Strand at the MLB level with the Reds.
Could there be an opportunity for the 26-year-old with the San Diego Padres? Most certainly, even as other options are on the table. The bench as currently constructed is weak. Taking the backup catcher out of the equation, there are three bench spots. That typically means one infielder, one outfielder and another who is hopefully a hybrid. The big question for the Padres’ starting lineup is how the right side of the infield will sort out. Ideally, that would be newcomer Sung Mun Song in a hybrid role, with Jake Cronenworth at second base and Gavin Sheets at first.
Based on how FanGraphs sees the Friars’ depth chart, that would mean a bench of Mason McCoy, Will Wagner and Bryce Johnson. That certainly doesn’t inspire anyone looking for some offense in the event of an injury. Does Miguel Andujar change this equation, as a right-handed hitter with power? Perhaps, but he’s a defensive liability better suited for full-time DH duties at this point. And save for his explosion with the Reds in the second half of the 2025 season, he’s been as inconsistent as any hitter in the sport over the past half-decade.
Which is where the Encarnacion-Strand, a fellow right-handed hitter, could come into play. But first, what would the Padres need to give the Reds in order to acquire him? It could be a simple 1-for-1 deal in which the Friars take from their deepest spot, the bullpen, and send a reliever to the Reds for Encarnacion-Strand. Who? Depends on who the Reds like. With Encarnacion-Strand entering 2026 with four seasons of team control yet ticketed for Triple-A to begin the season, it could be someone like right-hander David Morgan, a surprise in 2025, or left-hander Yuki Matsui, who has been solid yet underwhelming in his two years with the Padres. Losing either one of those two wouldn’t damage the Friars’ bullpen that much, especially with two injured relievers (Jason Adam and Jhony Brito) potentially returning in the first two months of the season.
But we will let president of baseball operations A.J. Preller figure that part out.
Encarnacion-Strand in a Padres uniform would be something worth exploring. While he has battled a couple of injuries (fractured right wrist in 2024, back inflammation in 2025), he also hasn’t excelled when given the MLB opportunity. Across three seasons, Encarnacion-Strand has played in 128 games with 501 plate appearances, posting a slash line of .233/.275/.404 with 21 homers and 72 RBIs. However, that comes on top of gaudy minor-league numbers of a .305/.369/.580 slash line with 67 homers and 233 RBIs in 275 games over four seasons.
So, you can see where a front office would dream on him.
But the one troubling trend with Encarnacion-Strand has been his strikeouts. He has 136 in 128 MLB games and 297 in 275 games in the minors. When he was sent down to Triple-A in mid-July, manager Terry Francona had a chat with Encarnacion-Strand about not chasing as many pitches. That is the baggage Encarnacion-Strand would bring to San Diego.
How would that affect the bench? Song is expected to get time this spring in the outfield, so that helps there. He also will fill in for Manny Machado at third base and can also slide over to first base. Cronenworth can play first or second. McCoy can play either middle infield spot, while Wagner is a second and third baseman. At least one of those latter two wouldn’t make the Opening Day roster if the Friars make this move, especially since Andujar can technically play the infield and outfield corners as well.
Regardless of how the exactly the Opening Day roster shakes out, the offense Encarnacion-Strand would bring to the bench would be a big boost for a team lacking in viable depth.
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