As the offseason unfolded, the mariners bullpen adjustment explained as front office faced a familiar challenge: deciding which of its key position players would remain part of the club’s long-term vision and which would move on. Among the organization’s three most notable position-player free agents, one decision came swiftly, another followed soon after, and the final piece remains unresolved.
The Mariners wasted little time locking up first baseman Josh Naylor, bringing him back on a five-year deal worth $92.5 million. His return was widely anticipated and viewed as a cornerstone move for a team intent on remaining competitive well into the future. Meanwhile, infielder Jorge Polanco took his talents elsewhere, signing a two-year, $40 million contract with the New York Mets, effectively removing himself from Seattle’s plans. That sequence of events left one major name still searching for a new contract: Eugenio Suárez.
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Suárez, who has worn a Mariners uniform before and remains well-regarded inside the organization, continues to sit on the open market. His future has become a subject of speculation, particularly after comments made by Seattle’s general manager Justin Hollander during an appearance on MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM. Hollander did little to shut the door on a possible reunion, instead suggesting that a return to Seattle remains firmly within the realm of possibility.
“There’s certainly a chance,” Hollander said when asked about Suárez potentially rejoining the club. He went on to praise the veteran infielder not only for his on-field contributions but for the intangibles he brings to a team environment. Hollander emphasized that Suárez’s influence extends far beyond the batter’s box or the hot corner.
According to the general manager, Suárez offers leadership qualities that are difficult to replace. His consistency, professionalism, and personality have made a lasting impression on teammates and staff alike. Hollander described him as a stabilizing presence—someone who elevates the clubhouse culture on a daily basis. That admiration, he noted, is why the Mariners have stayed in touch with Suárez’s representatives throughout the winter.
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From the outset of the offseason, Seattle’s priorities were fairly clear across the league. Re-signing Naylor was considered the most urgent task, a sentiment echoed by multiple reports. Once that box was checked, attention shifted to Polanco and Suárez, with Polanco seemingly next in line. Ultimately, Polanco’s departure resolved one question while creating another.
Naylor’s early-November agreement proved beneficial for the Mariners, as it allowed them to approach the remainder of the market with greater financial clarity and flexibility. With that major commitment settled, Seattle was free to explore additional avenues, including negotiations with Polanco. Reports later indicated that the Mariners had made a competitive two-year offer to Polanco—one believed to be in the same general range as the deal he ultimately signed in New York.
What remains unclear is how those talks intersected with discussions involving Suárez. There has been no confirmation as to whether Seattle presented Suárez with a formal offer early in the offseason or whether the club chose to wait and see how the Polanco situation played out first. It is possible that the Mariners were gauging interest from both players simultaneously, prepared to pivot depending on which opportunity materialized.
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Even after Polanco’s exit, Seattle has not narrowed its focus exclusively to Suárez. The organization has been linked in trade rumors to high-profile infielders such as Brendan Donovan and Ketel Marte, two players who would significantly reshape the Mariners’ lineup if acquired. Those ongoing discussions could be influencing the timing—or lack thereof—of serious negotiations with Suárez.
If the Mariners are indeed prioritizing a trade for one of those infield options, it would make sense for them to delay committing to Suárez until the trade market clarifies. Talks with clubs like the St. Louis Cardinals or Arizona Diamondbacks could drag on, fall apart, or suddenly accelerate, and Seattle may want to maintain maximum flexibility until those scenarios resolve themselves.
Should Suárez ultimately return to Seattle, his role would likely look different than it has in the past. Rather than serving as an everyday third baseman, he would probably be deployed more frequently as a designated hitter. Defensive metrics have painted a less flattering picture of Suárez’s work at third base in recent seasons, and the trend has not gone unnoticed by front offices around the league.
By most analytical measures, Suárez has graded out as roughly average or slightly below average defensively at the position for several years. In 2025, advanced statistics such as Defensive Runs Saved and Outs Above Average both rated his glovework negatively. While those numbers don’t erase his offensive value, they do raise legitimate concerns about relying on him as a primary defender over a long schedule.
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Seattle, for its part, appears relatively comfortable with its internal options at third base. The team’s greater need lies at second base, where upgrades could provide more overall roster balance. That context helps explain why Suárez may be the only free-agent third baseman the Mariners are seriously considering—and why his candidacy is tied so closely to his history with the franchise.
Beyond Seattle, Suárez has drawn interest from other clubs, most notably the Chicago Cubs and Boston Red Sox. However, as with the Mariners, there has been no public indication that either team has extended a firm contract offer. For a player coming off a 49-home-run season, the relative lack of movement has been somewhat surprising.
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Several factors likely explain the cooler-than-expected market. Suárez is 34 years old, an age at which teams become cautious about long-term commitments. His strikeout rates remain high, and his defensive limitations reduce his positional flexibility. These concerns loom large for clubs wary of being locked into an expensive deal during a potential decline phase.
Complicating matters further was the noticeable drop in Suárez’s production after he was traded from the Diamondbacks to Seattle at the trade deadline. While his overall season numbers remained impressive, the second-half downturn may have reinforced doubts among evaluators about sustainability and consistency.
Despite those questions, Suárez’s value has not gone unnoticed. MLB Trade Rumors ranked him 20th on its list of the top 50 free agents of the offseason, projecting that he could still command a three-year contract worth approximately $63 million. That estimate suggests there remains a belief within the industry that Suárez’s power and experience justify a significant investment.
Such a deal is still very much within reach, particularly given the unpredictable nature of the offseason. As free agents continue to sign and teams reshuffle their rosters via trades, opportunities can open suddenly. A single injury, a failed negotiation elsewhere, or a shift in competitive timelines could all work in Suárez’s favor.
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The question of whether Seattle could secure Suárez on a so-called hometown discount remains unanswered. While there is no guarantee that he would accept less money to return, it is reasonable to assume that familiarity could play a role in his decision-making process. Suárez knows the organization, the coaching staff, and the clubhouse environment, factors that can carry weight for veteran players.
Additionally, the Mariners project to remain postseason contenders in 2026 and beyond, an appealing scenario for a player who may be prioritizing competitive opportunities as much as financial ones at this stage of his career. A return to Seattle would offer Suárez a clear role, a familiar setting, and a legitimate chance to chase October success.
For now, all parties remain in a holding pattern. Seattle continues to explore multiple paths to improve its infield, Suárez continues to wait for the right opportunity, and the broader market continues to evolve. Whether those paths ultimately converge remains one of the more intriguing subplots of the offseason—one that could still swing in several different directions before winter gives way to spring.
SOURCES:
- MLB Trade Rumors
- YouTube
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