Seattle Mariners’ trade for Suárez did more than make them better

What makes a trade worthwhile?

Simply put — when you come away with more value than you gave up. Whether that means landing a cornerstone player, stockpiling draft picks, or improving your overall roster, the ultimate goal is to make your team better.

That’s exactly what the Seattle Mariners did when they acquired Eugenio Suárez at the trade deadline. The move was an instant boost — Suárez became the first player with 35 or more home runs to be traded midseason, joining a team that already featured MLB’s home run leader. It was a perfect fit.

Beloved by fans, “Geno” quickly reunited with former Diamondbacks teammate Josh Naylor and several ex-Mariners, who were thrilled to see him back. As Shannon Drayer described, Seattle even held its team flight on the tarmac so Suárez and his family could board after a series loss in Sacramento.

“It’s so Geno Suárez,” Drayer recalled. “He walked the entire plane and hugged everyone on board.”

Seattle’s lineup had more power than it had in years, but Suárez cooled off late. He batted just .190 in September, though his 13 homers from August onward brought him to 49 on the season. The Mariners still clinched a playoff berth and finished the month with the second-best OPS in baseball, so no one was too concerned.

However, his slump carried into October. Heading into Game 5 of the ALCS, he was just 2-for-22 in the postseason. Suddenly, some questioned whether the trade had truly made Seattle “better.” But in reality, it wasn’t just about stats — it was about sending a message. The Mariners’ bold move showed belief in their roster and a shift in team culture, and that has real value.

Still, production matters most when the games count the most.

In Game 5, Seattle’s offense was quiet as Toronto held a 2–1 lead. Bryce Miller gave the Mariners what they needed from the mound, but a run allowed by Bryan Woo put them in a small but manageable hole. Then, in the eighth inning, Cal Raleigh crushed a home run to tie it, setting the stage for Suárez’s redemption.

After loading the bases, Suárez — who had already homered earlier — delivered again, blasting a grand slam off Seranthony Domínguez to give Seattle a 3–2 series lead and reignite their postseason run.

The Mariners still need to win one on the road, but for now, Suárez gave them more than just a win.

A trade should make you better.

On this night, the Mariners didn’t just improve — they advanced.