Reds Reunite with Slugger Eugenio Suárez in $15M Deal

Suárez, a former All-Star with the Reds, returns to Cincinnati on a one-year contract with a mutual option for 2027.

Feb. 3, 2026 at 9:55pm

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The Cincinnati Reds have officially reunited with free-agent designated hitter Eugenio Suárez, signing him to a one-year, $15 million deal with a $16 million mutual option for 2027. Suárez, a native of Venezuela, spent seven seasons with the Reds from 2015-2021, establishing himself as an All-Star and power hitter, before being traded away. He is excited to return to the city he calls "home" and join a Reds lineup that is looking to improve its power production after finishing 21st in MLB in home runs last season.

Why it matters

Suárez's return to the Reds provides a much-needed power bat to the middle of their lineup, as the team has lacked consistent home run production since Suárez's departure. His addition, along with the team's other offseason moves, could help the Reds return to the playoffs after missing out in 2022.

The details

Suárez, 34, hit 49 home runs last season while playing for the Seattle Mariners and Arizona Diamondbacks. He will primarily serve as the Reds' designated hitter and is expected to hit behind rising star Elly De La Cruz. Suárez's reunion with the Reds was facilitated by the team's closer, Emilio Pagán, who reached out to Suárez to recruit him back to Cincinnati.

  • Suárez last played for the Reds in the 2021 season.
  • The Reds officially signed Suárez to his new contract on February 4, 2026.

The players

Eugenio Suárez

A 34-year-old Venezuelan designated hitter who previously spent seven seasons with the Reds from 2015-2021, making the All-Star team and earning MVP votes.

Elly De La Cruz

The Reds' rising star who led the team in home runs with 22 last season and is expected to hit in front of Suárez in the lineup.

Emilio Pagán

The Reds' closer who reached out to Suárez to help recruit him back to Cincinnati.

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What they’re saying

“It's perfect, that's why I'm here, because it's perfect. Everything right now is perfect, beautiful, happy and (I'm) very excited to be back home.”

— Eugenio Suárez

“The camaraderie thing is real. We're a really, really close-knit, tight group, which helps you get through the tough times because every team is going to have them. You add on to the fact that we're already super close and we already get along, you add in a guy with the track record of Geno Suárez, it's only going to enhance it.”

— Emilio Pagán, Reds closer

“That alone is what you're excited about. Everything else that he brings is icing on the cake. He strengthens our lineup — not just with the 49 home runs, but he's done it year in and year out. He's a home run threat. Any time he can hurt you and it's something we lacked a little bit last year in the power game.”

— Freddie Benavides, Reds bench coach

What’s next

The Reds will monitor Suárez's progress during spring training as he looks to regain his power stroke and chemistry with his new and former teammates.

The takeaway

Suárez's return to the Reds represents a homecoming for the slugger and a key addition for a team looking to bolster its lineup with proven power. His reunion with the organization he called home for seven seasons could provide a spark for the Reds as they aim to contend for a playoff spot in 2026.