4 reunions the Reds must avoid after the 2025 Winter Meetings and 2 that make sense

The Cincinnati Reds made an attempt — and a valiant one at the that — to bring Kyle Schwarber back home. Unfortunately, fortune favored the Philadelphia Phillies and their five-year, $150 million offer. The Reds left the Winter Meetings in Orlando empty-handed, but there's little doubt that several contacts were made, and a few impending free agent offers could be on the table as we speak.

Though they missed out on Schwarber, perhaps Nick Krall and the front office could focus their efforts on a homecoming of a different sort. Reds fans have an affinity for players who've worn the wishbone 'C' in the past, and it wouldn't be surprising to anyone if Cincinnati was considering a reunion with a number of former players who are currently on the free agent market.

Obviously not every former Reds player fits the team's current needs, and a handful have seen their careers crater since leaving the Queen City. Which ex-Reds should the team consider re-signing this offseason, and who should stay away from Cincinnati for good?

Reds must avoid reuniting with these former players

Eugenio Suárez, third baseman

Reds fans absolutely adore Eugenio Suárez, and the former All-Star would undoubtedly bring a lot of pop to a Cincinnati lineup that was starved for power last season. Geno is a free agent for the first time in his career, and is coming off a 49-homer campaign split between the Arizona Diamondbacks and Seattle Mariners.

But while a reunion with Suárez sounds nice on the surface, there are some problems. Suárez has played both shortstop and third base throughout his career, but many evaluators believe it's time for him to move to first base. The Reds' already have a logjam at that position with Spencer Steer and Sal Stewart. Geno also comes with strikeout concerns, and has led the league in that category three times over the last seven seasons. This is the type of move that sounds good, but could end in disaster.

Nick Martinez, pitcher

Nick Martinez is an absolute workhorse, and Cincinnati would love to have him back. Martinez answered the bell for manager Terry Francona countless times in 2025, and there's little doubt the Reds need a versatile pitcher like him in their rotation/ bullpen heading into 2026.

But Martinez may have priced himself out of Cincinnati after back-to-back impressive performances, both as a starter and reliever. Since 2024, Martinez has logged 308 innings over 82 appearances, including 40 starts. He's posted a 3.83 ERA and 232 strikeouts, and after spending $20 million to keep Emilio Pagán, it's doubtful Cincy can afford to bring back Martinez.

Ty France, first baseman

Ty France was a trade deadline pickup for the Reds back in 2024 after a long-tenured career with the Mariners. During his lone stint with the Reds, France was rather disappointing, owning a paltry .251/.292/.391 slash line in 52 games.

Things didn't improve much in 2025. France split time between the Minnesota Twins and the AL Champion Toronto Blue Jays, hitting a combined .257/.320/.360 with seven home runs and 52 RBI. Cincinnati has a backlog at first base, and there's no need to add to it with a marginal player like France.

Jesse Winker, outfielder

There's reason to believe that a reunion with Jesse Winker might actually work. A left-handed swinger with plenty of pop is exactly what the Reds need. After playing just 26 games for the New York Mets in 2025, Winker's price point is likely to be right in the Reds' wheelhouse as he looked to rebuild his value this offseason.

But his extended absence in 2025 is the exact reason Cincinnati should forgo a reunion with their former All-Star. Winker has struggled with injuries throughout his entire career, and that lack of durability should force the Reds to steer clear of the 32-year-old this winter.

Reuniting with these former Reds players makes perfect sense

Miguel Andujar, designated hitter

When Miguel Andujar was on the field, he was a difference maker in the Reds' lineup. A last-minute trade deadline acquisition, the slugger absolutely demolished left-handed pitching in 2025, and the Reds could certainly use his bat again in 2026.

Andujar doesn't have a flawless track record, having only eclipsed 100 games played once in his career. And while he wouldn't solve all the Reds problems, if signed to be a platoon option alongside Gavin Lux as the team's DH, the veteran could be a sneaky buy-low option that would allow Francona to mix and match his lineup next season.

Scott Barlow, pitcher

Scott Barlow was arguably the Reds' most durable reliever outside of Tony Santillan. The right-hander made 75 appearances out of the Reds bullpen, and though he struggled down the stretch, was an invaluable member of the relief corps up until the very end.

The Reds chose to decline Barlow's $6 million team option, but that doesn't mean that the two sides can't find common ground. If the Reds were able to sign Barlow to a one-year incentive-laden deal worth about $4 million, it would go a long way toward shoring up one of the team's biggest concerns this offseason.