Reds Rumors: Eugenio Suárez trade buzz grows but Cincy is stuck on the sideline

Eugenio Suárez is a name Cincinnati Reds fans are quite familiar with. Suárez spent seven seasons with the Reds before being traded to the Seattle Mariners prior to the 2022 season. Could Geno be on his way back to Cincinnati before July 31? That remains to be seen, but it's quite possible.

The Arizona Diamondbacks may rule this year's MLB trade deadline. Suárez, Zac Gallen, and Merrill Kelly have all be discussed as potential trade chips and if the D-backs are out of contention, look for Arizona GM Mike Hazen to be be rather busy in the coming weeks.

According to MLB insider Jon Morosi, the D-backs have yet to commit to be sellers at this year's deadline, but he believes the Mariners and Los Angeles Angels are the most likely destinations for Suárez if Arizona decides to sell. The Reds should throw their name into the ring too.

Reds Rumors: Eugenio Suárez trade buzz grows, but Mariners and LA Angels lead the way

The Mariners have an obvious need at third base and are currently trailing the AL West leading Houston Astros. The Angels are a bit of a surprise name, but LA has been playing of late and only trail the Mariners back 2½ games in the division.

The Reds need help at third base. While some fans are holding out hope that Noelvi Marte will bring some stability to the position once he returns from the IL, that's far from a guarantee. Marte has sandwiched two solid (albeit incomplete) seasons around one cruddy one.

Marte hit .316 with a 118 OPS+ in 2023 and was hitting .294 with a 128 OPS+ before landing on the IL ths season. However, in 2024, Marte hit .210/.248/.301 after serving an 80-game suspension for PED use. Do the Reds risk going into the second-half of the season with Marte as their starting third baseman, or will the Reds' front office attempt to pull off a deal for Suárez?

Geno is quite familiar with the scene in Cincinnati and was beloved the Reds fanbase during his time in the organization. He's second in the National League in home runs behind only Shohei Ohtani and has — until this season — played reliable defense at the hot corner.

Marte's return to the Reds lineup in the coming days/ weeks could be the determining factor as to whether or not Cincinnati gets into the bidding war for Suárez's services. The D-backs third baseman is on an expiring deal, so there's no long-term commitment and the price tag shouldn't be extravagant. It remains to be seen, however, if the Reds will look to reunite with the former All-Star slugger.

More Cincinnati Reds News and Rumors