Eugenio Suarez Signs $15M Deal with Cincinnati Reds

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Eugenio Suarez's New Deal with the Cincinnati Reds

Eugenio Suarez, who hit an impressive 49 home runs last season, has signed a one-year contract worth $15 million with the Cincinnati Reds. This deal also includes a mutual option for 2027. Suarez, a significant player for the Reds, has previously showcased his power by hitting 49 home runs in a season for the team. Despite such a remarkable performance splitting time between Arizona and Seattle, his contract in the current market seems surprisingly modest. For comparison, this deal is only $3 million more than what Alex Cobb secured with the Tigers.

With this contract, Suarez returns to Cincinnati where he is well-loved. His previous stint with the Reds in 2021 saw him hitting 31 home runs, albeit with a batting average of .198 and an OPS of 714. Considering these numbers, a one-year, $15 million deal appears to be a safe bet on Suarez's consistent power-hitting ability, particularly at the hitter-friendly Great American Ballpark.

The conversation shifted towards the potential of Suarez hitting even more homers. Theoretically, if he had played all games at the Great American Ballpark last season, projections suggest he could have hit 54 home runs. While replicating such a number is improbable, Suarez is expected to significantly contribute to the Reds with his ability to hit home runs.

Regarding other teams' interest in Suarez, the Pittsburgh Pirates were mentioned as potential suitors. According to MLB.com's Alex Stumpf, the Pirates offered Suarez a contract with the same annual value as the Reds, and were prepared to offer more. Unfortunately for Pittsburgh, Suarez opted for a "prove it" deal with Cincinnati, choosing the familiarity and favorable hitting environment over a longer contract elsewhere. This choice emphasizes Suarez's strategy of maximizing his performance to potentially secure a better long-term contract in subsequent free agency.

Finally, it was noted that Suarez's somewhat limited on-base skills might have influenced his market value. Despite his impressive home run tally, teams are cautious due to his modest on-base percentage and defensive skills. By choosing Cincinnati, Suarez positions himself in an optimal environment to maximize his hitting power, making every home run count more significantly towards his future prospects.