Reds Shock Fans With $15 Million Offseason Slugger Signing

Cincinnati inks former fan favorite Eugenio Suárez to one-year deal.

Feb. 27, 2026 at 1:07pm

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The Cincinnati Reds surprised their fanbase by signing former fan favorite slugger Eugenio Suárez to a one-year, $15 million contract late in the offseason. Suárez, who previously played for the Reds from 2015-2022, is coming off a 49-home run season split between the Seattle Mariners and Arizona Diamondbacks.

Why it matters

The Reds are not typically known for making big-money free agent signings, so this move represents a departure from their usual offseason approach. Suárez was a beloved player during his first stint in Cincinnati, and his return has the fanbase buzzing with excitement.

The details

Suárez was non-tendered by the Mariners in November, making him a free agent. The Reds swooped in and signed him to a one-year, $15 million deal, a move that caught many by surprise. Suárez is coming off a standout 2025 season in which he hit 49 home runs, and the Reds are hoping he can provide a major power boost to their lineup at the hitter-friendly Great American Ballpark.

  • The Reds signed Suárez in late February 2026, just weeks before the start of the season.
  • Suárez was non-tendered by the Mariners in November 2025.

The players

Eugenio Suárez

A power-hitting infielder who previously played for the Reds from 2015-2022 and is now returning to Cincinnati on a one-year, $15 million contract.

Emilio Pagan

The Reds' closer, who was re-signed to a 2-year, $20 million contract this offseason.

JJ Bleday

A 28-year-old outfielder who signed a 1-year, $1.4 million deal with the Reds and is arbitration-eligible through 2028.

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What they’re saying

“The first major move of the offseason for the Reds might have been the most important, as closer Emilio Pagan (2/$20M) was re-signed on the heels of a career-high 32-save season. Without him, the bullpen would be a major question mark.”

— Joel Reuter, Bleacher Report Writer

“While he struggled last year and was non-tendered in November, JJ Bleday is just a year removed from a 20-homer, 2.2-WAR season with the Athletics. The 28-year-old has a chance to provide significant value after signing a one-year, $1.4 million deal, and he is arbitration-eligible through 2028 if he rebounds.”

— Joel Reuter, Bleacher Report Writer

What’s next

The Reds will be hoping Suárez can recapture his previous form and provide a major power boost to their lineup as they look to contend in the NL Central.

The takeaway

This signing represents a rare big-money move for the cost-conscious Reds, and it has the fanbase excited about the team's potential for the upcoming season. Suárez's return to Cincinnati is a feel-good story, and the Reds are betting that his power production will translate well to the hitter-friendly confines of Great American Ballpark.