{"id":40897,"date":"2026-02-02T20:33:35","date_gmt":"2026-02-03T01:33:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/02\/02\/whats-on-the-horizon-mariners-boost-lineup-with-all-star-reds-bring-back-eugenio-suarez\/"},"modified":"2026-02-02T20:33:35","modified_gmt":"2026-02-03T01:33:35","slug":"whats-on-the-horizon-mariners-boost-lineup-with-all-star-reds-bring-back-eugenio-suarez","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/02\/02\/whats-on-the-horizon-mariners-boost-lineup-with-all-star-reds-bring-back-eugenio-suarez\/","title":{"rendered":"What\u2019s on the Horizon: Mariners Boost Lineup with All-Star, Reds Bring Back Eugenio Suarez"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_74 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/02\/02\/whats-on-the-horizon-mariners-boost-lineup-with-all-star-reds-bring-back-eugenio-suarez\/#Whats_next_for_the_Reds\" >What\u2019s next for the Reds?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/02\/02\/whats-on-the-horizon-mariners-boost-lineup-with-all-star-reds-bring-back-eugenio-suarez\/#Whats_next_for_the_Mariners\" >What\u2019s next for the Mariners?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/02\/02\/whats-on-the-horizon-mariners-boost-lineup-with-all-star-reds-bring-back-eugenio-suarez\/#Whats_next_for_the_free_agent_market\" >What\u2019s next for the free agent market?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<p>Four years after being traded from the Cincinnati Reds to the Seattle Mariners, Eugenio Suarez is making his way back to Cincinnati. Suarez, who had an All-Star season with 49 home runs\u2014leading all third basemen\u2014is the most formidable power hitter still available on the market. However, the Reds, a team known for its modest hitting, signed the 34-year-old to a one-year deal worth $15 million, with an additional $16 million mutual option for 2027. After finishing 21st in home runs last season, with only 14 homers combined from their third basemen, Cincinnati sought a player with significant power potential.<\/p>\n<p>The last time Suarez reached his total of 49 home runs was six years ago during his tenure with the Reds, where he first emerged as one of the most powerful bats in the league at his position. The franchise hopes he can recapture that form as they reunite this year. In 2025, Suarez slammed 36 home runs in 106 games with the Arizona Diamondbacks before being traded to Seattle, where he quickly became a clubhouse favorite from 2022 to 2023. Despite this, Suarez faced offensive struggles following the trade, batting just .189 with a striking 35.9% strikeout rate.<\/p>\n<p>Still, Suarez managed to hit 13 home runs in 53 games to finish the Seattle season, and his and Josh Naylor\u2019s mid-season additions helped propel the Mariners to their first Division I title since 2001. In a crucial Game 5 of the American League Championship Series, Suarez hit two homers, including a game-winning grand slam that nearly sent the Mariners to the World Series. Unfortunately, they fell short in the last two ALCS games to the Toronto Blue Jays.<\/p>\n<p>This offseason, concerns about Suarez\u2019s age, declining defensive skills, high strikeout frequency, and his late-season retirement decision made teams cautious. This opened the door for the Reds to make a low-risk, potentially high-reward signing as they aim to end a four-year playoff drought and build on last year\u2019s progress. Back in Cincinnati, Suarez returns to Great American Ball Park, one of MLB\u2019s most homer-friendly stadiums.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Whats_next_for_the_Reds\"><\/span>What\u2019s next for the Reds?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Last season, Suarez hit more than twice as many home runs as the team\u2019s leader, Elie Delacruz, who tallied 22 homers. Suarez is expected to provide valuable protection to Delacruz in the lineup. However, Suarez might not be playing his usual position. Ke\u2019Bryan Hayes, despite being a below-average hitter, is one of the league\u2019s best defensive third basemen and is under contract for the next four years, meaning Suarez will likely serve primarily as the designated hitter. Additionally, 2022 first-round pick Sal Stewart is expected to get most of the first base playing time.<\/p>\n<p>Regardless of where Suarez plays on defense, the Reds needed to add powerful hitting. After failing to sign Kyle Schwarber, this was their final opportunity to improve their offense in free agency. Between November and January, Cincinnati made minimal improvements to an offense that ranked 19th in OPS and 21st in slugging last year. They traded away outfielder Dane Myers and signed JJ Bleday but also lost Austin Hayes and designated hitter Gavin Lux. Now in February, Suarez\u2019s addition brings much-needed stability to the Reds\u2019 batting order.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Whats_next_for_the_Mariners\"><\/span>What\u2019s next for the Mariners?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The Mariners are focusing on a youth-driven strategy. They made two significant deadline acquisitions last season, adding Naylor and Suarez. Naylor performed well in the first half and improved further after joining Seattle, showcasing solid defense as a first baseman during 54 games, while posting an .831 OPS, nine home runs, and 19 stolen bases. The Mariners were so pleased with Naylor\u2019s fit that they secured him with a five-year, $92.5 million extension\u2014just short of one month before his contract was set to expire.<\/p>\n<p>Though Suarez\u2019s performance in Seattle last year was inconsistent, the team faced a shortage of power hitters after Suarez plus Jorge Polanco\u2019s departure. There was speculation the Mariners might keep Suarez, but they chose to complete a youth-focused, contact-oriented approach instead. Recently, the Mariners agreed to acquire 29-year-old versatile infielder and 2025 All-Star Brendan Donovan, who still has two years of team control. Donovan\u2019s .353 on-base percentage and low 13% strikeout rate should help address Seattle\u2019s chronic strikeout problem, as the team has ranked among the top six in strikeouts over the past three years. He can also fill defensive gaps at second and third base, giving the Mariners flexibility while waiting for 20-year-old top prospect Colt Emerson to make his debut.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Whats_next_for_the_free_agent_market\"><\/span>What\u2019s next for the free agent market?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Starting pitching is now the focus. With Luis Arraez moving to San Francisco and Suarez landing in Cincinnati, teams seeking power hitters may increasingly look to trades. Veterans like Rhys Hoskins (soon 33), Marcell Ozuna (35), and Paul Goldschmidt (38) remain the top available free agents for teams craving offense.<\/p>\n<p>For rotation help, there\u2019s a strong selection as well. Framber Valdez, once considered the best starting pitcher on the market, is still unsigned, along with other notable pitchers including Zac Gallen, Zach Littell, Chris Bassitt, Lucas Giolito, and Max Scherzer.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><em>Rowan Kavner is an MLB writer for FOX Sports, with previous coverage of the LA , LA Clippers, and Dallas Cowboys. A Louisiana State University graduate, he was born in California, raised in Texas, and returned to the West Coast in 2014. Follow him on X at @RowanKavner.<\/em><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><strong>Fan Take:<\/strong> Eugenio Suarez returning to Cincinnati is a crucial boost for a Reds lineup desperate for power, possibly reigniting excitement around a playoff push. Meanwhile, the Mariners&#8217; pivot towards younger, versatile players could reshape their identity for years to come, making this offseason a fascinating case study in contrasting team-building philosophies.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Four years after being traded from the Cincinnati Reds to the Seattle Mariners, Eugenio Suarez is making his way back to Cincinnati. Suarez, who had an All-Star season with 49 home runs\u2014leading all third basemen\u2014is the most formidable power hitter still available on the market. However, the Reds, a team known for its modest hitting, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":40898,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[16],"class_list":{"0":"post-40897","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-baseball","8":"tag-baseball"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40897","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=40897"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40897\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/40898"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=40897"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=40897"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=40897"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}