Reds eyeing Eugenio Suárez but ex-GM says prospect cost could be absurd

As the MLB trade deadline creeps closer, the Cincinnati Reds find themselves in an intriguing position. Still within striking distance in the NL Central (and definitely in the Wild Card mix), but in need of reinforcements if they want to make a serious second-half push. One name that’s continued to surface is a familiar face in Eugenio Suárez.

The buzz surrounding a possible Reds reunion with Suárez has been steadily growing, with multiple insiders confirming there’s legitimate mutual interest between Cincinnati and Arizona. And with the Diamondbacks reportedly listening, it’s fair to assume that the Reds will at least kick the tires on a deal. But just how far they’re willing to go could become a boiling point among fans.

Former MLB general manager Jim Bowden, now a writer with The Athletic (subscription required), offered a sobering take on what it might cost the Reds to outbid the competition for Suárez’s services. And Reds fans won’t like the sound of it.

Reds eye Eugenio Suárez reunion, but prospect price raises eyebrows

“Based on the offers Arizona should get from the rest of the field, it might take one of Cincinnati’s top prospects, third baseman/second baseman Sal Stewart or corner infielder Cam Collier, to get a deal done,” Bowden wrote. “I doubt the Reds would do that for a two-month rental, especially since acquiring bullpen and outfield help is their top priority at the deadline.”

Let’s be clear. If that’s the price, it should be a hard pass.

Stewart and Collier are two of the organization’s most promising bats, both boasting high offensive ceilings and positional versatility. Moving either of them for what amounts to a short-term boost, even for a beloved slugger like Suárez, feels like a step backward for a franchise that has been careful not to compromise its long-term vision.

Fortunately, there appears to be a more sensible alternative. According to The Athletic’s C. Trent Rosecrans, there is indeed mutual interest between the Reds and Diamondbacks in a Suárez deal, and one name that’s surfaced in talks is right-hander Chase Petty.

Now this is where things get interesting. Petty, still just 22 years old, remains a high-upside arm with electric stuff. But unlike Stewart or Collier, he’s already had a taste of the majors, and the results, well… they weren’t great. The Reds have seen him flash potential but also inconsistency, and with a surplus of young pitching in the system, they’re in a better position to deal from that depth.

For the Diamondbacks, Petty fits the bill of a controllable, developmental starter who could slot into the back end of the rotation and continue refining his game at the MLB level. For the Reds, parting with Petty doesn’t gut their farm and still allows them to make a meaningful addition.

Adding Suárez would undoubtedly energize the Reds lineup. He’s still capable of changing games with one swing, and his leadership and familiarity with the organization would be a seamless fit inside the clubhouse. But paying a premium, especially involving top-tier infield talent for a two-month rental is the type of mistake that haunts franchises.

If a deal can be struck involving a more reasonable piece like Petty, it’s absolutely worth exploring. But if Arizona insists on prying away one of the Reds’ crown jewels? It’s probably best to walk away.

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