Reds Put Suarez and Friedl on Waivers Following Dramatic Win
The Cincinnati Reds have placed third baseman/designated hitter Eugenio Suárez and outfielder T.J. Friedl on outright waivers, according to The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal. Suárez is owed just under $3 million for the remainder of the season, while Friedl is owed about $700,000. The move comes hours after Suárez hit a grand slam in a 10-9 comeback victory over the Giants, but the Reds remain 63-71 and far out of playoff contention.
Suárez carries a roughly $3 million remaining salary, a modest sum for a proven power bat, and his 2025 campaign featured 49 home runs. However, his current slash line sits at .205/.294/.402 with 18 homers and 53 RBI across 102 games, and he spent a month on the injured list with an oblique strain. Friedl, owed about $700,000, has fallen to a .158/.242/.234 line in 75 games after a strong 2025 season that saw him post a .364 on-base percentage. He recently endured an 0-for-30 slump and has lost his starting outfield role to J.J. Bleday, Dane Myers, and Hector Rodriguez. Claiming teams have 48 hours to act, and unclaimed players could remain with Cincinnati or be designated for assignment.
This move may reshape the playoff picture for contending clubs seeking low-cost reinforcements, as both players offer upside at modest financial risk. Suárez's power could provide a late-season boost to a lineup needing depth, while Friedl's defensive versatility might appeal to teams with outfield injuries. For the players, a claim would offer a fresh opportunity to rebuild value before free agency or arbitration. The Reds, meanwhile, signal a focus on evaluating younger talent down the stretch, which could influence roster decisions for other rebuilding franchises watching how waiver claims unfold.