Reds Linked to NL Home Run Leader — But Their Own Strategy May Ruin the Deal

Reds Reportedly Eyeing Eugenio Suárez, But Trade Hopes Are Slim

The Cincinnati Reds could use an offensive boost—desperately. With the trade deadline fast approaching, the front office is working the phones to gauge the market. One name that’s come up in discussions is a familiar one: Eugenio Suárez.

Suárez, now with the Arizona Diamondbacks, is putting up monster numbers in 2025. He currently leads the National League in home runs and RBIs, while slashing .254/.325/.598 with a career-best 150 OPS+. C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic was the first to report Cincinnati’s interest, though MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand has since added that a deal is considered a “long shot” by league sources.

Of course, the irony is hard to ignore: the Reds had Suárez locked up on a team-friendly contract before dealing him away in the spring of 2022. That trade brought back Jake Fraley, Justin Dunn, Connor Phillips, and Brandon Williamson—a return that’s been solid, but far from spectacular. Meanwhile, Suárez has racked up 119 home runs and a 122 OPS+ since leaving Cincinnati.

This year’s performance isn’t just good—it’s elite. Suárez’s offensive output easily surpasses that of Noelvi Marte, one of Cincinnati’s most productive young bats, who currently holds a 120 OPS+. It’s clear Suárez would instantly slot into the middle of the Reds’ lineup as the impact bat they’ve been missing.

But here’s the catch: Suárez is a rental, set to hit free agency after the season. The Diamondbacks aren’t going to give him away, and any team looking to land him will need to part with at least one real asset—maybe more.

That’s where Cincinnati’s front office hesitates. They’ve repeatedly stated their reluctance to trade prospects for short-term help, favoring long-term development over aggressive buying. But that strategy comes at a cost—potentially wasting a rare opportunity to strengthen a competitive, albeit imperfect, roster.

As Jeff Passan of ESPN pointed out earlier today, the Reds seem more inclined to hope for improvement than to actively pursue it. That approach could leave them sitting out yet another trade deadline while other teams make moves to win now.

Could the Reds surprise everyone and finally go bold? Maybe. But if recent history is any indication, fans shouldn’t hold their breath.