Reds Move to Make Suárez Available to Contenders
Suárez returned to Cincinnati on a one-year, $15 million contract that included a $16 million mutual option for 2027. The Reds hoped the veteran third baseman and designated hitter could deliver a major power boost after a strong 2025 season. However, Suárez’s 2026 performance has been inconsistent. Through 103 games, he is hitting .208 with a .295 on-base percentage and a .410 slugging percentage, totaling 19 home runs and 57 RBI—figures that fall short of his 2025 production. An oblique injury sidelined him for about a month, contributing to a slower start and reduced momentum the rest of the season.
The timing of the waiver news coincided with a notable moment. On the same day the move was reported, Suárez delivered a grand slam to help Cincinnati rally from a large deficit and defeat the San Francisco Giants 10-9. The Reds improved to 63-71 with the victory but remained nine games behind the final National League Wild Card spot, and they sat 19.5 games back in the NL Central, diminishing their chances of a late postseason push. With less than $3 million left on Suárez’s contract for the season, a contender seeking another power bat could acquire him without the Reds needing to negotiate a trade.
Suárez Could Be an Intriguing Late-Season Addition
Despite a disappointing 2026, Suárez’s recent track record makes him an appealing waiver candidate for teams seeking right-handed power and veteran depth. In 2025, he hit 49 homers and posted a slugging percentage of .526, demonstrating that he remains a dangerous home-run threat entering his mid-30s. Over the span from 2018 through 2025, Suárez tallied 261 home runs, ranking among the top totals in Major League Baseball and reaching the 30-homer mark four times between 2021 and 2025.
There are notable drawbacks for any interested club. Suárez has consistently struck out at a high rate, and batting average has not been a strength in the latter portion of his career. Nevertheless, teams seeking a right-handed power bat, a designated hitter option, or additional depth at third base may view him as an affordable late-season gamble for the regular season’s final weeks and potentially the playoffs.
T.J. Friedl Also Hits Waiver Wire
Suárez isn’t the only veteran Cincinnati has made available. Friedl was also placed on outright waivers after a season in which his offense declined significantly. The 31-year-old outfielder owns a .158/.242/.234 slash line across 75 games and recently endured an 0-for-30 stretch. That contrasts sharply with 2025, when Friedl posted a .364 on-base percentage and frequently ranked near the top of Cincinnati’s batting order.
Defensively, Friedl has continued to offer versatility in center and left field, which could be valuable to teams seeking experienced outfield depth. He is owed just over $700,000 for the remainder of the season and is entering his second year of arbitration, leaving his long-term future with Cincinnati uncertain regardless of whether another club claims him.
The waiver process now provides other teams with 48 hours to decide on Suárez and Friedl. If unclaimed, the Reds can retain the players or pursue other roster moves.
In summary, Cincinnati’s waivers aim to clear room on the roster and potentially secure value from veteran players as the season winds down. Both Suárez and Friedl carry track records that could intrigue teams in need of power, depth, and versatility for the final weeks of the season and the playoffs.
