Eugenio Suárez's impact on Héctor Rodríguez bolsters Reds' reunion case

You'd be hard-pressed to find a better human being than Eugenio Suárez. The Cincinnati Reds slugger is about as genuine as they come off the field, though he swings a mean piece of lumber when he's in the batter's box.

The Reds will soon decide whether or not to bring back Suárez on a $16 million mutual-option for the 2027 season. For his part, Suárez has stated that he'd like to return next season, but given his performance in 2026, it's unlikely Cincinnati's leadership feel the same way — at least not at that price.

But just because the Reds decline their end of Geno's $16 million option for next season doesn't mean the team is completely uninterested in a reunion. The slugger struggled early on, but during the second-half, Suárez was one the Reds' most productive bats. He hit .216/.333/.490 with 15 homers and 39 RBI after the All-Star break.

But Suárez's impact goes beyond the box score, and that's never been more evident than the influence he (and Elly De La Cruz) had on outfielder Héctor Rodríguez after the rookie experienced some early struggles upon being called up to the big leagues. Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reported that Suárez and De La Cruz took Rodríguez aside and gave him a boost of confidence.

"They came and were like, ‘You’ve just got to go out there and play your game. Be yourself. Play how you always play.’ That’s what helped me," Rodríguez said via interpreter Tomas Vera.

After hitting just .097/.176/.129 through his first 11 games in the major leagues, Rodríguez began to swing a hot bat on September, and closed out the regular season with a .265/.297/.487 slash line, six home runs, and 15 RBI.

The Reds can't replace Eugenio Suárez's leadership in the clubhouse

Suárez's home run swing may not fit the Reds' new contact-over-power philosophy, but it's not easy to replace the type of veteran leadership Geno brings to the able. With Brady Singer, Pierce Johnson, and Tyler Stephenson likely to leave via free agency, Cincinnati's lone veteran voice in the clubhouse will be Emilio Pagán — and even he has a contract decision ($10 million player-option) for 2027.

Suárez has shown an inclination to stick with the franchises he knows, and he has a great affinity for the city of Cincinnati. He's not going to command a huge contract in free agency this offseason, and a heavily incentives prove-it deal that starts somewhere between $5-7 million could be a good place to start.

There isn't a single player in the Reds clubhouse (or fans in the stands in the Great American Ball Park) who wouldn't want to see Geno back in 2027. Whether or not it actually happens is up to the decision-makers in the Reds' front office.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow