Eugenio Suarez's red-hot start reveals why Reds' trade backfired in the worst way

It’s been three years since the Cincinnati Reds offloaded the contracts of Eugenio Suárez and Jesse Winker onto the Seattle Mariners in a move that, at the time, looked like a strategic salary dump. Now, with hindsight on our side, the aftermath only continues to make the trade look worse for the Reds.

Let’s rewind to 2022: Cincinnati shipped Suárez and Winker to Seattle in exchange for right-handed pitcher Justin Dunn, lefty Brandon Williamson, and outfielder Jake Fraley. On paper, it looked like a classic case of shedding payroll in exchange for cost-controlled youth. But none of the return pieces have turned into anything close to impactful contributors.

Eugenio Suárez powers D-backs, while the Reds are left with regret

Let’s get this part out of the way: Winker didn’t pan out in Seattle. After a decent start, his production fell off a cliff, and he became a journeyman, hopping from Milwaukee to Washington before eventually landing with the New York Mets in what may finally be a more stable situation.

Suárez, on the other hand, made a real impact. In his first season with the Mariners. He belted 31 home runs and drove in 87 runs. He followed that up with a 22-homer, 96-RBI campaign in 2023 while playing all 162 games — a rare feat. And while Seattle as a team underperformed in 2023, Geno still found ways to produce, even in the pitcher-friendly confines of T-Mobile Park.

Fast forward to 2024: Suárez found himself traded again, this time to the Arizona Diamondbacks — and the change of scenery appears to have reignited his bat. He crushed 30 homers with 101 RBI, slashing .256/.319/.469 and posting a 116 OPS+. Nothing outrageous, but a clear return to form.

Now in a contract year, Suárez is wasting no time making his presence felt in 2025. Through just five games, he's already launched five home runs — including a dramatic late-inning grand slam to beat the New York Yankees — and driven in 11 runs. He’s slashing a jaw-dropping .278/.381/1.111 with a ridiculous 302 OPS+. Sure, those numbers aren’t sustainable, but as far as first impressions go, it’s a statement. Whether he’s playing his way into an extension or boosting his value as a potential trade chip, Suárez has caught everyone's attention.

The Reds’ trade haul from Mariners falls flat

Back to the Reds. Of the four players acquired in that trade, not a single one has provided lasting value:

• Justin Dunn is no longer with the team.
• Brandon Williamson gave the Reds 23 starts in 2023 but only made four in 2024 before undergoing Tommy John surgery. He’ll miss all of 2025.
• Jake Fraley remains on the roster, but his production is below replacement-level. At this point, he’s more of a placeholder than a cornerstone — someone keeping a spot warm until the next outfielder is ready.
• Connor Phillips — the player to be named later — can't throw strikes and is still in the minor leagues. The Reds even shipped him to the Arizona Complex League in 2024.

Fraley’s continued presence isn't an indictment of his effort, but when you look at what Cincinnati gave up — an All-Star caliber third baseman and a former outfielder with a high ceiling — it’s hard not to chalk this up as a major loss. None of the return pieces have blossomed, and none appear likely to.

To pour salt in the wound, the Reds are now paying Jeimer Candelario ($16 million) roughly the same money Suárez ($15 million) is making — and getting significantly less offensive output from the third base position. So much for the cost-saving justification.

Three years ago, this trade may have looked like a savvy reset. Now? It’s a clear misfire. Seattle may not have maximized Winker, but they got two solid years from Suárez (and quite frankly may have misfired themselves). Meanwhile, the Reds are left with a rehab project, a roster filler, and a bunch of what-ifs while the Diamondbacks flourish with a power-hitting third baseman.

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