CINCINNATI — In a move that sent shockwaves across Reds Nation, the Cincinnati front office has officially crushed all hopes of reuniting with fan-favorite slugger Eugenio Suárez, choosing instead to make a jaw-dropping pivot — a bold trade with division rival Pittsburgh Pirates to acquire elite third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes, known around the league as a defensive “monster” at the hot corner.
For over a week, whispers of a possible Suárez return had fans buzzing. The veteran power hitter, now with the Arizona Diamondbacks, was viewed as a perfect nostalgia-fueled deadline pickup to spark the lineup and reignite the city’s passion. But just as the reunion felt within reach, Reds President of Baseball Operations Nick Krall flipped the narrative.
Instead of chasing the past, Cincinnati turned toward the future — and defense.
The Reds sent two pieces to Pittsburgh to make it happen: promising shortstop prospect Sammy Stafura and struggling left-handed reliever Taylor Rogers. In exchange, they landed Ke’Bryan Hayes, one of the National League’s premier defenders, a Gold Glove winner who immediately shores up Cincinnati’s infield.
Hayes, 27, isn’t lighting it up at the plate this season (.236/.279/.290), but what he brings defensively is elite. He signed an eight-year, $70 million extension with the Pirates in 2022 and remains under contract through 2029, with a $12 million club option for 2030. With an average annual value of just $7.5 million, the Reds viewed him as a long-term asset — and a steal.
But make no mistake — this wasn’t just about defense.
It was also about moving on from a lingering problem: Taylor Rogers. The lefty, acquired in the offseason from the Giants, had recently become unreliable. Despite a deceptively average ERA, Rogers couldn’t find the strike zone, lost command in tight games, and became a bullpen liability. Somehow, Krall found a taker, and included him as a makeweight in this deal.
As for Sammy Stafura, the 2023 second-round draft pick was hitting .262 with Low-A Daytona. A solid bat with good on-base skills, his loss stings — but the Reds are stacked at shortstop. Prospects Tyson Lewis, Edwin Arroyo, Leo Balcazar, and top 2025 pick Steele Hall are all in the pipeline.
Still, fans can’t help but feel the emotional blow.
Suárez wasn’t just a bat. He was a symbol — of power, of energy, of an era when the Reds lineup felt dangerous every night. His smile, swagger, and 40-homer power once made him a Cincy icon. And many believed a reunion would bring both firepower and fanfare back to Great American Ball Park.
Instead, Cincinnati made a business decision. One that improves run prevention, but potentially weakens the offense even further — unless Krall has another move waiting in the wings.
With the trade deadline looming on Thursday at 6 p.m. ET, Reds fans are watching closely. Will the front office find a way to replace the offense they just passed on? Or will this gamble on defense cost them down the stretch?
One thing is certain: the past is gone, and the Reds are betting everything on what comes next.
