Eugenio Suarez, the powerful third baseman, has rejoined the Seattle Mariners following a contract agreement involving the Arizona Diamondbacks. This information was shared anonymously with the Associated Press before any official announcement. At 34 years old, Suarez was widely expected to be a key figure in trade discussions before the July 31 deadline. According to MLB.com, the Diamondbacks are receiving first baseman Tyler Locklear and two pitching prospects, right-handers Hunter Clanton and Juamburgos, in exchange.
Suarez returned to Seattle, a team he played for during the 2022 and 2023 seasons, after being traded to Arizona in November 2023. This season, Suarez has hit 36 home runs, driven in 87 runs (tied for the most in MLB), and holds a batting average of .247 with an OPS of .898. On April 26, he joined the exclusive select club by hitting four home runs in a single game, becoming the 19th player in MLB history to do so. He is in the final year of an eight-year, $79 million contract and will be eligible for free agency next season.
Other teams interested in Suarez included the Chicago Cubs, Detroit Tigers, and Philadelphia Phillies. Currently, the Diamondbacks hold the second position in the NL West with a record of 51-58, trailing the leading Los Angeles by 12.5 games.
Fan Take: Suarez’s return to the Mariners is a major boost for their lineup, bringing both star power and proven performance. This move could reignite the Mariners’ playoff hopes and adds exciting drama to the trade deadline, which is always a thrilling time for baseball fans.
