Cubs deal for Alex Bregman should force the Reds into a risky but popular solution

While the offseason has been a veritable arms race in the AL East, it's been a rather quiet winter in the NL Central. That was until Saturday night when the Chicago Cubs inked free agent infielder Alex Bregman to a five-year, $175 million deal.

The Cubs' newest addition undoubtedly makes Chicago the odds-on favorite to win the NL Central in 2026, and should warrant a response from the Cincinnati Reds. To date, the Reds have done little to address the glaring hole in the middle of their lineup, but the Bregman signing should motivate Nick Krall and the front office to go out and grab a bat.

There's no shortage of power-hitters available this offseason, but there's no way Cincinnati is going to take a bold (and expensive) swing for a player like Cody Bellinger or Kyle Tucker. But old friend Eugenio Suárez is still on the open market, and the Reds should attempt to reunite with the their former All-Star.

Cubs-Alex Bregman deal should prompt Reds to reunite with Eugenio Suárez

The Reds were willing to shell out over $125 million to bring free agent slugger Kyle Schwarber to Cincinnati. The Middletown native posted a .240/.365/.563 slash line last season with 56 home runs, 104 RBI, and a 152 wRC+. Suárez was no slouch in 2025 either. The veteran infielder hit .228/.298/.526 with 49 homers, 119 RBI, and 125 wRC+.

The contract projections for Suárez are all over the map. ESPN pegged the former Reds slugger to sign a two-year deal worth $45 million, while others predict Geno could land a three-year deal worth upwards of $60 million. The former should be doable for the Reds, but if Suárez is truly set on signing on a three-year deal, the Reds should avoid a reunion altogether.

But at some point, Krall and Co. have to make a splash. Most reports suggest that there aren't too many big bats available on the trade market, so if Cincinnati is looking to give their lineup a boost, they may have to wade into free agency.

With Suárez, the Reds know what they'd be getting. A clubhouse leader with plenty of pop and one of the most likable players to come through the Queen City over the last decade. The strikeouts are always a concern with Geno, but Bregman's deal with the Cubs just made the Reds' path to a playoff berth in 2026 all the more difficult. Cincy can't afford to drag their feet for much longer.

Though not as ballyhooed as a homecoming for Schwarber would've been, most Reds fans would love to see Suárez back in Cincinnati next season.