The Seattle Mariners made a bold move at the trade deadline, acquiring two power-hitting infielders on expiring contracts—Josh Naylor and Eugenio Suárez—in hopes of fueling a World Series run. The gamble didn’t pay off as planned, and both players hit free agency after the season.
However, the Mariners opened the offseason with a major move, striking a five-year deal to keep Naylor in Seattle. Although the agreement came together quickly, the team shouldn’t stop there; several other free agents should remain on their radar as the winter progresses.
Bailey Bassett of ClutchPoints recently reveal Suárez would sign a solid two-year, $40 million deal this offseason while suggesting the Mariners would be the best landing spot for the slugger this offseason.
“The Seattle Mariners already re-signed Josh Naylor. They should do the same with Eugenio Suarez. Both trade deadline acquisitions worked wonders once they joined the Mariners,” Bassett wrote. “Suarez hit 49 home runs last season, and he hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down when it comes to hitting long bombs. The Mariners could actually expect internal improvement from their pitching staff next season, so they need to ensure they have the offense to match.”
Suárez and Jorge Polanco should sit near the top of Seattle’s priority list this offseason. Landing at least one of them feels essential, though securing both will be difficult.
Early in the winter, it appeared unlikely that the Mariners could afford Suárez after his standout year. But his market value has dipped from early projections of around $100 million to closer to $40–50 million—a range that fits far more comfortably within Seattle’s budget.
If the Mariners want to stay firmly in the World Series hunt, they could make another significant move like this. It would be a bold step, but one they should seriously consider.
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