Eugenio Suárez news
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
Eugenio Suárez cleared waivers and stays with the Reds after no team claimed him. His $15M contract and poor season made other clubs pass.
Background
The Cincinnati Reds placed veteran slugger Eugenio Suárez and outfielder TJ Friedl on outright waivers on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, according to reports from The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal. This move came as the Reds struggled at 63-71, nine games back in the Wild Card race, and both players had disappointing seasons. Suárez, 35, signed a one-year, $15 million deal in February but hit only .208 with 19 homers and a .705 OPS, while Friedl had a career-worst .476 OPS. The waivers allowed other teams to claim them by paying the remainder of their salaries, but no team did, so both remain with the Reds.
How it unfolded
- Feb 2026Suárez signed a one-year, $15 million contract with the Reds.
- Aug 26, 2026Reds placed Suárez and Friedl on outright waivers, per Ken Rosenthal.
- Aug 27, 2026Both players cleared waivers; reports confirm they will join the team in Chicago for the series against the Cubs on Friday.
Who’s saying what
- Analysts
- Suárez's high strikeout rate and lack of defensive value made him unattractive despite his power.
- Fans
- Mariners fans were excited about a possible reunion, but the team passed on claiming him.
Still unverified
The Reds have not officially confirmed the waiver placement, according to MLB.com.