The Cincinnati Reds have placed veteran third baseman Eugenio Suarez and outfielder TJ Friedl on outright waivers, potentially opening the door for them to join playoff contenders for the final month of the season. Teams interested in acquiring either player can claim them and assume the remainder of their contracts. If unclaimed within a 48-hour window, the players would remain with the Reds, though the team could also choose to release them.
These moves come after the trade deadline, but players placed on waivers can still find new teams. This mechanism was notably used in 2023 when the Los Angeles Angels placed six players on waivers, with five landing with new clubs. The New York Yankees also lost Harrison Bader to the Reds via a similar waiver process.
Unlike some past instances where teams placed players enjoying strong seasons on waivers, both Suarez and Friedl have struggled in 2026. The Athletic reported that the Reds may also be considering potential financial savings, as both players are reportedly not expected to be with the team in 2027.
Suarez, a prominent player for the Reds, is batting .208 with 19 home runs and 57 RBIs this season. He is owed less than $3 million for the remainder of the year, with a mutual option for $16 million in 2027. His OPS against right-handed pitchers is .715, and against left-handed pitchers, it is .668.
Friedl, 26, has posted a .476 OPS in 253 plate appearances this year and is unlikely to be tendered a contract by the Reds in arbitration. His OPS is among the lowest in baseball for qualified players this season.
The Reds, with a 63-71 record entering Thursday, are currently nine games back in the NL wild-card race.