Reds Encouraged to Bring Back Former All-Star Slugger to Spark Playoff Push
As the Cincinnati Reds remain in the thick of the National League playoff race, sitting just 3.5 games out of the final wild card spot, momentum is building around the idea that the team should make a bold move to strengthen its roster. With a dynamic mix of young stars, energetic personalities, and a respected veteran manager at the helm, Cincinnati has become one of the most entertaining teams to watch this season. But now, many believe it’s time to get serious about October.
One voice leading that charge is Bleacher Report’s Kerry Miller, who has suggested that the Reds should make a strong push to reunite with former All-Star third baseman and current Arizona Diamondbacks slugger, Eugenio Suárez.
“If this week doesn’t go their way against the Nationals and Rays, the Reds could pivot to selling,” Miller noted. “They have valuable trade chips like Emilio Pagán and Taylor Rogers, and they might even find a team willing to take on part of Nick Martinez’s contract. But if they stay in the hunt, a power bat could make all the difference—and Suárez fits that need perfectly.”
Suárez, who spent seven seasons in Cincinnati from 2015 to 2021, is having a monstrous year with the Diamondbacks. He currently leads the National League in home runs with 36 and all of Major League Baseball in RBI with 86. During his tenure with the Reds, he hit 189 of his 312 career home runs and posted a solid .253 batting average.
The Reds’ need at third base is clear—they currently rank 28th in Wins Above Average at the position—and adding Suárez would be a massive upgrade. Offensively, Cincinnati has hovered in the lower half of the league in key categories, and injecting Suárez’s bat into the lineup could be just what the team needs to make its first playoff appearance since 2020.
A return to Cincinnati would also likely energize the fanbase, who still hold fond memories of Suárez’s previous stint with the club. As the trade deadline approaches, the call to bring him back is growing louder—and it just might be the move that helps push the Reds over the top.
