Reds fans may be overlooking key benefit of trading Eugenio Suárez and Nathaniel Lowe

The Cincinnati Reds seem destined to be sellers at the trade deadline, and two of the likelier candidates to be moved are Eugenio Suárez and Nathaniel Lowe. Both are rentals, meaning they won’t command the highest price on the market, but the holes they will open on the Reds’ roster could be more important than whatever return they bring in.

Suárez brought the Arizona Diamondbacks three pitching prospects at last year’s deadline, but the slugger is mired in the worst season of his career and has seen his value plummet. Regardless of who the Reds pick up in return, the removal of Geno from the DH spot in the lineup could pay dividends.

Trading Eugenio Suárez and Nathaniel Lowe could pave the way for Reds prospects

Similarly, Lowe, who has outperformed his projections this season, is filling a role that could just as easily go to prospects looking for big league at-bats. The Reds shouldn’t be concerned about losing one of their better bench bats because the mission here is no longer “win in 2026.”

Lowe was simply serving as a spot starter at DH or first base, and Spencer Steer could slide into that role, allowing Héctor Rodríguez a real shot at an outfield spot. Even better, Rodríguez, like Lowe, is a left-handed batter, which is in short supply in Cincinnati.

With Edwin Arroyo in the majors, there are few options for infield call-ups, but some flexibility with who DHs could benefit the club. Trading Suárez would open up the designated hitter role, and Reds manager Francona could give some of the younger guys, like Elly De La Cruz or Sal Stewart, a break from playing the field as the season drags on.

Considering the wear and tear that hampered De La Cruz as he played every single game last season and his hamstring injury earlier this year, a shift to DH could give him some rest and recovery. Stewart has played in all 100 games in his rookie season.

Cutting ties with Suárez and Lowe as July draws to a close may leave a bad taste in some fans’ mouths since they were two of the Reds' bigger signings this offseason. But at this point in the year, it’s better to build toward the future than to stand pat with a subpar team.

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