If your team is seeking power at third base, Eugenio Suarez is a strong candidate. Last year, Suarez hit 49 home runs and posted a .526 slugging percentage while playing for the Seattle Mariners and Arizona Diamondbacks. At 34, he could be an ideal fit for Seattle, addressing a key need as the Mariners are on the brink of reaching the World Series for the first time.
Teams in search of a third baseman will soon learn the cost of signing Suarez. If he leaves Seattle, three free agents could be solid alternatives.
For the Yankees in 2026, their starting lineup could be internally built from positions 1 to 9, assuming they re-sign either Cody Bellinger or Trent Grisham. Although not set in stone, Suarez would be a valuable new addition to New York. Except for the 2020 season, Suarez has averaged 35.1 home runs per year over the past seven seasons. His presence would not only add power to the Yankees’ offense, which led MLB with 274 home runs last season, but also bolster the third base position.
Why third base? New York appears committed to shortstop Anthony Volpe, backed by Jose Caballero, and Jazz Chisholm Jr. likely holds the everyday second base spot. Ben Rice might replace Paul Goldschmidt at first base. Though Ryan McMahon is contracted for $32 million over the next two seasons and is a strong third baseman, his batting average was only .214 last year, and he has experience as a second baseman. Suarez could take over third if McMahon transitions to a utility role. However, if the Yankees seek to upgrade from McMahon, they might prefer a younger third baseman like Munetaka Murakami or someone with better defensive skills, as Suarez had a Defensive Runs Saved of -6 at third base last year.
Detroit Tigers would greatly benefit from Suarez in 2026 without needing to trade prospects. Last season, the Tigers rotated several third basemen and signing Suarez would provide stability. He ranked 89th in MLB in barrel percentage (14.3%) last year and would bring power as a right-handed hitter to the Tigers’ lineup. Detroit’s offense, ranked eighth among playoff teams in slugging percentage (.413), would gain a vital power boost from Suarez alongside Riley Green, Kelly Carpenter, and Spencer Torkelson. This acquisition aligns perfectly with the Tigers’ playoff aspirations after consecutive appearances and a tough first-round exit against the Mariners.
But why wouldn’t Detroit be Suarez’s top choice?
Pittsburgh Pirates’ GM Ben Cherington mentioned the team has more flexibility than in past offseasons, signaling a willingness to invest. Last year, the Pirates ranked last in MLB for RBIs (583), home runs (117), slugging percentage (.350), and near the bottom in hits (1,244), clearly needing reinforcements. Suarez would address the Pirates’ power deficit and shore up third base. While they would need to make additional roster improvements to lure Suarez, he would be a significant step toward competitiveness. The Pirates can expect prospects Nick Gonzalez and Jared Toriolo to develop, and if their offense improves to a mid-tier level, they could contend for a wild card spot.
Pittsburgh’s rotation is anchored by Paul Skeens, the 2025 National League Cy Young Award winner, and includes promising arms like Mike Burrows, Carmen Mrozinski, Bubba Chandler, Mitch Keller, Seth Hernandez, and Jared Jones, although Jones missed time due to injury. This rotation ranked sixth in ERA (3.71) and WHIP (1.19) last season.
With the Pirates’ playoff drought since 2018, now may be the ideal moment to make a significant leap forward.
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Fan Take: Eugenio Suarez’s potential moves are pivotal as they could reshape the power dynamics for multiple MLB teams. Baseball fans should watch closely—his next contract could influence playoff races and the balance of power in the coming seasons.
