Reds' experiment with Eugenio Suárez feels unnecessary

Of all the moves that the Cincinnati Reds made this offseason, Eugenio Suarez is by far the most important. Adding a player who clubbed 49 dingers and slugged .526 to a lineup that ranked 21st in both homers (167) and slugging percentage (.391) is transformative.

The expectation was that the 34-year-old would slide in as the everyday DH. The Reds might have been reluctant to bog down the DH spot with just one player, but for an impact bat like Suarez, it makes sense. Not only is his defense at the hot corner important, but they need to keep him healthy in order for the move to pay dividends. While injuries have rarely been an issue for Geno, he's no longer a spring chicken.

And with that, things seemed set. Suarez could pick up a handful of reps at third when Ke'Bryan Hayes needs a rest, but that seemed to be it. Cincinnati seems to have a different plan, however, with Suarez also getting reps at first base in the early goings this spring training. We have to ask... why?

The Reds having Eugenio Suarez work out at first base seems completely unnecessary

The two-time All-Star has never started a game at the cold corner in his career. Last season, he found himself lined up over there three times, the only three times he's appeared at the position, for a total of six innings.

This could make sense if the Reds didn't have any other options, but they most certainly do. Cincinnati is flush with players who could log time at first base. Right now, it looks like it's top prospect Sal Stewart's job to lose. Behind him, there is the valuable versatility of Spencer Steer, who figures to prominently figure into both the outfield and first base equations.

If that wasn't enough, the club went out and signed Nathaniel Lowe right as spring training began. With a minor league deal, Lowe isn't a slam dunk to make the roster, but his résumé includes a Silver Slugger, a Gold Glove, and a World Series ring as a member of the 2023 Texas Rangers. Add in the fact that he's a left-handed bat, and there's a decent shot that he'll make the team.

That would push Suarez all the way down to fourth on the first base depth chart. There are also internal options like Christian Encarnacion-Strand, who could be called up in the event of injury and handle first base.

It seems like things would have to go catastrophically wrong for Suarez to get any sort of run at first base, so why bother? If you need him to become the everyday first baseman, that means the season is already lost. Best to keep him at third where he's comfortable, and give him those reps to prepare for when he might be actually used — as Hayes' occasional backup.

Unnecessary player movement around the diamond can cause injury, and given Suarez's importance to the team in 2026, this just seems like a risk not worth taking. Get him in shape to play third when called upon, but Cincinnati has to knock this gimmick off before it's too late.