Reds, Eugenio Suarez agree to 7-year contract extension

GOODYEAR, AZ - Cincinnati Reds President of Baseball Operations, General Manager Dick Williams Friday announced the signing of 3B Eugenio Suárez to a 7-year contract extension through the 2024 season with a club option for 2025.

Suárez, 26, following last season was eligible for arbitration for the first time while under team control through 2020.

“We are very pleased to announce this extension. Eugenio has emerged as a leader in the clubhouse and on the field. He has continued to improve his defense, his power and his ability to get on base as a result of his determined effort," Williams said. “He will play an important role in our resurgence.”

Acquired by the Reds in December 2014 as part of the trade that sent RHP Alfredo Simon to the Tigers, Suárez in 2015 led the club in starts at shortstop while the last 2 seasons led the Reds in starts at third base. Over the last 2 seasons, he hit .254 with 50 doubles, 47 HR, 152 RBI and an on-base percentage of .342.

Last season, he established career highs in runs, HR, RBI, walks, on-base percentage, slugging percentage and OPS while leading all National League third basemen in fielding percentage.

The Venezuelan native last season received the Joe Nuxhall Good Guy Award in voting of the local chapter of the Baseball Writers' Association of America.

(Cincinnati Reds press release)