Reds $15 million slugger tabbed as 'buy low' trade target for 49 homer reason

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The Cincinnati Reds are not in the best of shape to make a postseason run this season, so it wouldn't be a huge surprise if they were trade deadline sellers.

While players like Elly De La Cruz, Chase Burns, and Hunter Greene won't be on the move, the Reds could look to move some of their impending free agents. One such player is a $15 million slugger who likely could be had for cheap.

Tim Kelly of Bleacher Report highlighted Eugenio Suarez, the Reds' $15 million free-agent signing, as a player teams could "buy low" on this summer thanks to a simple 49 home-run reason.

Reds' Eugenio Suarez is a 'buy low' trade target for 49-HR reason

"Things haven't gone according to plan, as a left oblique strain cost Suarez a month and the Reds find themselves in last place in the NL Central..." Kelly writes. "... Sure, he's only hit nine home runs this season, but he clubbed 49 a year ago between the Arizona Diamondbacks and Mariners."

For teams looking to add some offensive firepower this summer at the trade deadline, taking a chance on Suarez would make a lot of sense.

While the $15 million slugger hasn't exactly lived up to the hype this season, posting -1.0 bWAR in 233 at-bats across 65 games with nine homers, 32 RBIs, and a .639 OPS and 73 OPS+ in a down year, he's still a valuable trade chip.

A team eyeing some power at the trade deadline, especially in the form of a corner infielder or designated hitter, could turn to Suarez as a good buy-low trade target, as Kelly highlighted.

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Due to Suarez hitting 49 home runs last season, making his second All-Star Game in the process, the Reds could get something a little better back than normal for someone who's struggling as much as he has this year.

The soon-to-be 35-year-old slugger is a free agent after 2026. If the Reds, who are 43-50, 15.5 games back in the NL Central and 8.0 back in the NL Wild Card, decide to sell, Suarez should be on the move.

Thanks to his struggles, an acquiring team also wouldn't have to give up much to get him either, and while that would be a little disappointing for the Reds, getting anything back considering Suarez's problems this year would be a win.