The Seattle Mariners have made it clear, at least publicly, that their primary objective this offseason is to retain as much of their playoff-caliber roster as possible. After an impressive run that saw them compete deep into October, the organization has emphasized continuity and the value of maintaining the chemistry that propelled them toward contention.
In theory, keeping the core of a successful team intact is an appealing plan: familiarity reduces growing pains, allows for internal improvement, and signals to fans that the front office believes in the group it assembled.
However, the reality of professional baseball makes this goal far more difficult to achieve than simply stating it. The offseason landscape is shaped by finances, player demands, market competition, and long-term planning.
While Seattle may genuinely want to bring back multiple key contributors, balancing budget constraints and positional needs means that some tough decisions are inevitable. It is nearly impossible for a single team to retain every important piece after a deep postseason run, especially when several of those pieces are in line for major contracts or lucrative opportunities elsewhere.
One major move the Mariners have already completed is the signing of Josh Naylor, whom they acquired at the trade deadline and then locked up with a five-year deal. That long-term commitment settles the situation at first base for the foreseeable future. By securing Naylor’s services, Seattle clearly identified him as a cornerstone of their offense, a player they believe can anchor the lineup and provide consistent production over multiple seasons. With first base filled, the front office can turn its attention to sorting out the rest of the infield situation.
Another player the Mariners seem optimistic about re-signing is second baseman Jorge Polanco. According to the messaging coming out of team headquarters, there is confidence that a new deal could be struck that benefits both sides.
Polanco has been a reliable presence, offering a blend of offense and defensive stability that fits well into Seattle’s system. If an agreement is finalized, it would mean the Mariners successfully retain yet another important piece of their recent success.
But if Naylor stays at first and Polanco returns at second, that potentially leaves only one seat left open among the infield regulars — and it is third baseman Eugenio Suárez who might be left without a chair when the music stops.
Of the three players in question, Suárez arguably had the strongest overall season. He matched a career-high by launching 49 home runs, demonstrating that his power remains among the most formidable in the league. His performance at the plate, particularly in the first half of the season, was a major asset to whichever lineup he was part of at the time. While some of his most productive stretches came with the Arizona Diamondbacks before the trade deadline, his contributions to Seattle down the stretch should not be overlooked or underestimated.
One moment, in particular, remains etched into the minds of many Mariners fans: Suárez’s two-home-run performance in Game 5 of the American League Championship Series, which included a dramatic go-ahead grand slam. That swing alone changed the course of the game and served as a reminder of how game-altering his power can be. Plays of that magnitude often define legacies, and regardless of where Suárez ends up next, his heroics in that moment will remain a milestone in the franchise’s recent history.
Still, as impressive as those highlights were, nostalgia doesn’t pay the bills. Front offices are known to make decisions with a cold, analytical eye rather than an emotional one. If Seattle ultimately chooses not to re-sign Suárez, it won’t necessarily be a reflection of his ability, but rather a combination of finances, roster construction, age considerations, and long-term planning.
At 34 years old, Suárez is entering a phase of his career where teams start weighing short-term impact against long-term decline. While his bat still produces at an elite level, especially in terms of home run power, there are questions about how long that level can be sustained. His second half of the most recent season showed signs of regression, with production dipping after a dominant start. For prospective teams, that split performance could raise concerns, even if his overall numbers look excellent on the surface.
If Seattle does move on from Suárez, his next destination is truly up for debate. Teams all over the league — from title contenders to franchises in full rebuild mode — could justify bringing in a veteran power hitter on a short-term contract. Clubs attempting to push for a championship might view him as the missing piece that adds pop to the middle of the lineup. Meanwhile, rebuilding teams could see him as a valuable veteran presence who can mentor younger players, sell tickets, and possibly be flipped later at the deadline for prospects.
According to Bleacher Report’s Joel Reuter, one such rebuilding team stands out as a potential landing spot: the Washington Nationals. The Nationals find themselves at the bottom of the standings yet again, having finished in last place for the fifth time in the six seasons since their historic World Series victory. That championship, though not that long ago in the grand scheme of things, now feels like a distant memory as the team continues to struggle to regain relevance in the National League.
Reuter suggests that Washington is still likely one or two years away from being a serious contender, and that timeline could be pushed even further back if they decide to trade away key players like MacKenzie Gore this winter. If that happens, it would be another clear signal that the Nationals are focused more on the future than the present. In such a scenario, attracting premier free agents could prove difficult, as many players prefer to sign with teams that have a realistic chance to compete now rather than later.
This is where Suárez becomes an intriguing option for them. Coming off a 49-home-run campaign, he still carries immense value and name recognition. Even though a large percentage of that damage came in the first half of the year — and despite his noticeable slump in the second half — his resume is impressive enough to draw attention.
Add in the fact that he is on the wrong side of 30, and the overall market for him likely narrows. Instead of long, expensive contracts, he may be looking at two-year deals or similar shorter commitments. For a team like the Nationals, that type of contract isn’t nearly as intimidating or restrictive.
Washington could offer him a chance to be “the guy” again — a centerpiece of their lineup rather than just a complementary piece. They have not made a significant splash in free agency for more than five years, so signing a player like Suárez would send a message that they are at least attempting to reestablish credibility and competitiveness, even if a true playoff push is still a little way off.
From Seattle’s perspective, money is the primary factor working against a reunion. According to projections from The Athletic, Suárez is expected to command a contract in the range of three years and $69 million. For a player entering his mid-30s, that is not an insignificant commitment. For a team like the Mariners, whose payroll already includes several major contracts and new obligations (such as Naylor’s deal), fitting that kind of salary into future budgets becomes tricky.
That projected contract value could make Suárez the top addition for a lower-payroll team willing to make a statement, or the second-largest signing for a more financially flexible contender. In either case, Seattle would need to decide whether he is worth that level of investment compared to other potential needs — especially pitching, depth, and long-term stability across multiple positions.
So the big question remains unanswered: Will the Mariners simply sit back and watch as another franchise steps in and lands a player who played an important role in their recent success? Will they allow Washington — or some other organization — to break its free-agency silence by making a notable signing? Or could Seattle surprise everyone by finding a way to bring Suárez back on a more favorable deal?
The answers will unfold in the coming weeks and months as the offseason continues to take shape. What is clear, though, is that this decision will say a lot about the direction the Mariners intend to take. Whether they double down on the present, pivot slightly toward the future, or attempt to balance both worlds at once, the choice surrounding Eugenio Suárez will be one of the defining storylines of their winter.
For a franchise that has worked tirelessly to build momentum and earn respect around the league, each move matters. Each contract offered or declined sends a message — not only to fans, but to players across baseball. And as teams like the Nationals look for opportunities to shift the narrative of their own rebuilding journeys, players like Suárez become key figures in a much larger story: one about timing, ambition, risk, and the ever-changing economics of Major League Baseball.
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