Reds reunion with Eugenio Suarez hinges on one painful sacrifice

The free agent market is practically begging the Cincinnati Reds to reunite with Eugenio Suárez. The former Reds infielder was linked to Cincinnati last summer before he was ultimately traded to the Seattle Mariners. The Reds' lack of a power-hitter has led many to believe that signing Suárez could help solve one of Cincinnati's biggest roster dilemmas. Even though he's been gone since 2022, Geno remains a fan-favorite in the Queen City.

Suárez has been a popular name throughout the offseason, but amid all the free agent chaos over the last week, all of his rumored destinations appear to be drying up. The Mariners appear headed in a different direction. The Boston Red Sox are focused on Isaac Paredes. The Philadelphia Phillies are apparently done spending money. And Suárez may have doubts about the Pittsburgh Pirates ability to contend.

Given Suárez's penchant for hitting the long ball, there's reason to believe a reunion with the Reds would be the perfect way to cap off Cincinnati's offseason. But there's a problem, and it's a big one. Cincinnati's front office only has so much money to spend, and most contract projections estimate Suárez should be able to find a deal worth at least $40 million over two years.

Such a contract would push the Reds about $13 million over their end-of-season payroll from 2025. Reds president of baseball operations Nick Krall has repeatedly said that the team plans to operate under a similar budget during the upcoming season. In other words, if the Reds are hoping to reunite with Suárez, they're going to have to shed about $13 million in salary. It just so happens that Brady Singer is signed to a deal worth $12.75 million.

The Reds can sign Eugenio Suárez, but it'll cost them Brady Singer

Parting with Singer would be a painful cost, but one the Reds may have to endure if they hope to bolster the lineup in a meaningful way. Several rumors have emerged of late suggesting Cincinnati is unwilling to move any of their starting pitchers unless they're able to restock the rotation and add offense. Theoretically, Singer could be traded for a package that included an MLB-ready starter and the Reds could then use the savings to sign Suárez.

Though he's a valuable member of the Reds rotation — and one of the most durable starting pitchers in the game — $13 million for a No. 4 starter is rather expensive for a small-market club like Cincinnati. Singer is also a free agent after this season, and given the abundance of young starters in the Reds farm system, it's difficult to see them bringing him back in 2027.

The Reds face an unenviable choice with spring training less than a month away. Adding Suárez would give the Reds that offensive boost they lack, but in doing so, they'd lose a key starter in Singer. These are the tough decisions team executives have to make, and it'll be curious to see how Krall handles such a predicament.