Reds cannot let Pirates steal beloved free agent after Pittsburgh misplays the market

The Pittsburgh Pirates have been heavily involved in a number of free agent pursuits this offseason, but more times than not, have come up short. Most recently, the Buccos missed out on Japanese third baseman Kazauma Okamoto. The slugger spurned the Pirates' attempts, and instead signed a four-year deal with the Toronto Blue Jays.

But the Pirates are not expected to go quietly into the night. Pittsburgh is in the market for a power-hitter, and some experts now expect the Pirates to make an aggressive push to sign former Cincinnati Reds All-Star Eugenio Suárez. The Reds cannot let that happen.

Kyle Tucker, Cody Bellinger, Bo Bichette, and Alex Bregman represent the top-end of the market and are all seeking massive contracts. Neither the Pirates, nor the Reds, have been linked to any of those players. One rung down from that quartet, however is Suárez. Because of his age (34) and declining defensive numbers, Suárez is expected to sign a shorter-term deal — likely a two or three-year contract.

The Reds cannot allow the Pirates to steal Eugenio Suarez

If the Pirates are looking at Suárez to bolster their anemic offense, the Reds should be as well. Geno put together another All-Star campaign in 2025, hitting .248/.320/.576 with 36 home runs in 106 games with the Arizona Diamondbacks. Though his numbers tailed off (.189/.255/.428) after being traded to the Seattle Mariners, Suárez ended the year with 49 home runs and 118 RBI, and put up big-time numbers (.308/.379/.577) during the ALCS.

Reds fans know and love Suárez. While his strikeout numbers are difficult to ignore, so is the prodigious power he'd bring to the middle of the Reds' lineup. Only five players (Aaron Judge, Shohei Ohtani, Kyle Schwarber, Pete Alonso, and Matt Olson) have more home runs than Suárez since 2019. If the Reds were willing to shell out $125 million in order to sign Schwarber, they should have no issue paying half that amount to lure Geno back to the Queen City.

Reds fans have seen some of their favorite players suit for the enemy over the years. Former All-Star Sonny Gray signed with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2023 and Gold Glove Award-winner Tucker Barnhart agreed to a deal with the Chicago Cubs after the 2022 season. The Reds can't allow another beloved player to join one of their rivals — especially the lowly Pirates.