Tempting Reds reunion might sacrifice the future for a familiar face at the deadline

As the trade deadline inches closer, teams across Major League Baseball are forced to make difficult decisions. Weighing the short-term boost of a playoff push against the long-term health of their franchise. For the Cincinnati Reds, one of those decisions could come with a side of nostalgia. Should they entertain a reunion with former fan favorite and slugging third baseman Eugenio Suárez?

On the surface, the idea feels like a no-brainer. The Reds’ production at third base this season has been abysmal. Their collective 64 wRC+ at the position ranks 28th in all of baseball, and their 0.1 WAR is among the worst in the league. It’s a surprising fall-off considering the club entered the season with what looked like a crowded and capable third base depth chart.

But the wheels have completely fell off. Jeimer Candelario, their marquee infield signing ahead of the 2024 season, struggled mightily and was out of the organization before the 2025 season even reached its halfway point. Santiago Espinal and Gavin Lux have been stretched into larger roles than expected, but neither projects as a long-term everyday third baseman. Instead of solving the position internally, the Reds have watched third base become a black hole in the lineup.

Why a Eugenio Suárez reunion could hurt the Reds more than help

That’s where Suárez re-enters the conversation. Now with the Arizona Diamondbacks, the 34-year-old has rediscovered some of the thunder that once made him a household name in Cincinnati. At the break, he’s already launched 31 home runs — a throwback to his 2019 season when he crushed 49 homers and set a National League record for third basemen.

Geno has also continued to showcase remarkable durability, playing nearly every day and maintaining a steady presence in the lineup. For a Reds team in search of power and consistency at the hot corner, Suárez checks all the boxes.

But is it worth it? There’s one massive reason the answer might be no. Noelvi Marte. The former top prospect has returned to the Reds with a vengeance. In 27 games this season, Marte has slashed .284/.337/.547 with six home runs, 23 RBI, and five stolen bases. He looks every bit like the franchise cornerstone Cincinnati envisioned when they acquired him from Seattle in the Luis Castillo deal.

Though Cincinnati reporter Charlie Goldsmith recently revealed that the Reds are now giving Marte reps in the outfield, handing the reins over to Suárez, even for a short stint, would mean robbing Marte of the at-bats and experience at third base he needs to fully grow into the role . With the Reds still teetering on the edge of contention, but not guaranteed a playoff spot, is it really worth mortgaging valuable development time for a rental?

That’s not to diminish what Suárez could bring. A power surge down the stretch could lift a lineup that could use some more pop. And the clubhouse would surely welcome his presence — a well-liked veteran with leadership chops and ties to the fan base. A Suárez reunion would sell tickets and jerseys, and likely inject a jolt of energy into Great American Ball Park.

But it’s no longer 2019. This is a young Reds team trying to build a sustainable contender, and those final few months of Marte’s 2025 season could prove far more valuable than any short-term boost Suárez provides.

Tempting? Absolutely. Logical? Maybe not.

More Cincinnati Reds News and Rumors