My thoughts on Eugenio Suarez:
We wanted a bat. The Cincinnati Reds added a bat, the best remaining free agent bat on the market.
We wanted the Reds to spend more money. They spent at least $15M, per reports.
He's offers a presence that pitchers will certainly have to think about. He will provide protection to Elly.
He's a veteran, loved and respected by his teammates.
He's always been a willing mentor to younger players, and would offer a strong clubhouse presence.
His contract only commits the Reds to 2026, with a mutual option for 2027.
He's been durable. Playing 145-150-162-158-159 games the last five seasons.
He's not perfect. You don't find perfect players in February, a week away from pitchers and catchers reporting.
He's a strikeout machine, with 196-214-176-196 the last four years. Yes, he had 196 and Elly had 181 in 2025. That's 377 combined. But for all the hand wringing, Kyle Schwarber had more strikeouts (197) than Suarez last season.
He doesn't get on base, posting just a. 298 on-base percentage. That's lower than any Red that came to the plate at least 150 times last season.
He turns 35 this season.
I'd certainly tap the breaks on projections of 50 homers. Even 40.
Let's be realistic. He has topped 40 twice in 12 seasons. But the 30's are certainly doable.
But think about adding a 30+ HR guy to this lineup. Last season, when they simply scored at least four runs they went 65-25.
When they scored less than four runs: 18-54.
When they homered: 58-36. When they didn't homer: 25-43.
He locks down the DH spot. A path the Reds haven't really taken in the past, preferring to make it a rotational spot. That likely means Sal Stewart plays mostly 1B, a spot he's still learning. That likely means Spencer Steer plays mostly LF, moving off 1B, where he was a finalist for a Gold Glove. That means the Reds take a step back defensively at 1B and LF.
He's now a really poor fielder at 3B. He has played just 6.0 career innings at 1B, all last season.
The Reds were 21st in homers last season, hitting just 167. That was well below the MLB average of 188.
The last time they had a 30+ homer guy was 2021....that's 2021! 36 Joey Votto, 34 Nick Castellanos, 31 Eugenio Suarez.
Need I remind you of the struggles of 2025? The Reds were shutout 13 times, scored one run in 21 games, and two runs in 20 games. They scored less than three runs in a third of their games.
Per Charlie Goldsmith, the Reds changed their payroll plans and are expanding it, not trading players to make his salary fit the budget. That means they are going at least $10M beyond last year's payroll.
I'd certainly rather have a 34-year old Suarez for a season at $15M, with an option, than 33-year old Kyle Schwarber for 5 years at $150M.
Thoughts?