Brent Suter’s contract with the Cincinnati Reds includes a $6.2 million salary over two seasons, including a $3 million guarantee.
Suter’s salary is $2.5 million, and the deal, revealed on January 13, contains a $3.5 million team option for 2025 with a $500,000 buyout. This year, he may earn $200,000 in performance bonuses for games pitched, with $50,000 for 50, 55, 60, and 65.
Suter, who lives in Cincinnati, went 4-3 with a 3.33 ERA for Colorado last season, striking out 55 and walking 25 over 69 1/3 innings. Suter is 40-22 with a 3.49 ERA in 41 starts and 212 relief appearances for Milwaukee (2016-22) and the Colorado Rockies.
Brent Suter wore a dazzling smile and a freshly stitched Cincinnati Reds jersey with his name on the back.
He felt considerably more at ease during the first night of the 2024 Reds Caravan on Monday at Spooky Nook Sports Champion Mill.
Suter, who signed a one-year, $2.5 million contract earlier this month, spoke with Reds supporters and expressed his delight about returning home. The 34-year-old left-handed relief pitcher attended Moeller High School and graduated in 2008.
Suter spent seven seasons with Milwaukee before joining Colorado last year. In 253 major league appearances, including 41 starts, he has a 40-22 record with a 3.49 ERA.
Suter finished 4-3 with a 3.33 ERA and 55 strikeouts in 69 1/3 innings for the Rockies in 2023.
“Being able to play at home this year — hopefully for the next couple years — it’s just an absolute pinnacle of a dream being a big-league ball player,” he added. “I couldn’t be more grateful.”
Suter stated Monday night that the significance of playing for the Reds will extend beyond simply entering Great American Ball Park.
“There’s so much to it—being with my family, my kids, first and foremost,” said Suter, an Anderson Township resident. “Being able to have my family and friends go to any game they want to go to is just super special.”
Suter will report to pitchers and catchers on February 14 in Goodyear, Arizona, and the Reds will hold their first full-squad spring training exercise on February 19.
Cincinnati’s season begins on March 28 at Great American Ball Park against the Washington Nationals.
“It’s an unofficial holiday for Cincinnati,” Suter remarked of Opening Day. “Knowing how amazing it is, being a part of it, and participating in the parade — it’s a crazy atmosphere that I’m really looking forward to. Talking about it gives me chills. It draws Cincinnati together more than any other event throughout the year.”
A winning team
Suter recalled the Rockies’ visit to Cincinnati last season during the Reds’ 12-game winning streak, which included a sweep of Colorado.
“They just outperformed us in every aspect of the game. “They swept us,” Suter claimed. “You could feel the city completely falling in love with the team.” It was arguably one of the nicest environments we’ve played in all year.”
He noted Joey Votto’s return to the Reds lineup following a 10-month hiatus due to surgery. Votto hit a home run in his first game back, against the Rockies.
“My ears were exploding, it was so electric,” Suter explained. “I remember looking at my wife after that series and saying, ‘If it works out in free agency to come to Cincinnati and play with this team and at home, let’s do it.'” Being able to be a part of a winning team, especially a young team that is so energetic. The city has fallen deeply in love with them. “The city is on fire for Reds baseball.”
Quotable
“I want to be part of the clubhouse. “It just seems so electric,” Suter explained. “There are so many guys playing for each other. There is a resiliency there. (Reds manager) David Bell and his colleagues are doing an excellent job of guiding the ship.
