Reds-Diamondbacks trade idea sends former All-Star slugger back to Cincinnati

The Cincinnati Reds have played great baseball in June and have surged into the National League Wild Card picture.

At 44-40, the Reds are five games back from the Chicago Cubs for first place in the NL Central and just two-and-a-half games back from the third NL Wild Card spot.

Cincinnati has gone 15-10 this month and might be aggressors at the trade deadline next month.

R.J. Anderson of CBS Sports listed his top 25 trade chips and their potential landing spots. The Reds were listed as a favorite to reunite with a former All-Star slugger.

Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Eugenio Suárez could be on the move and was ranked the third-best trade candidate.

Bringing Suárez back to Cincinnati makes a lot of sense for the Reds. The power-hitter was an All-Star with the Reds in 2018 and hit 189 home runs with the team from 2015 to 2021.

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“Suárez has authored some mighty good offensive seasons throughout his career, making it all the more notable that he's on pace for a career-high OPS+,” wrote Anderson. “Add in how he's playable at third base, and the Diamondbacks employ one of the summer's most desirable rental bats if they decide to sell.”

Suárez, 33, has 25 home runs (tied-fourth) and 68 RBI (third) while slashing .257/.325/.564 in 81 games this season.

The Reds could use his bat in the middle of the lineup, and they have a clear need for a third baseman. Suárez could be the missing piece of the puzzle and would give Cincinnati its best shot at October baseball.

More MLB: Red Sox listed as potential landing spot for All-Star corner infielder