The Seattle Mariners’ search for lineup thump may be drifting toward a very familiar answer.
CBS Sports’ R.J. Anderson predicted free-agent third baseman Eugenio Suárez will return to Seattle, writing that “the path of least resistance points to a reunion with the Mariners” after what he described as a surprisingly quiet market for a player who just hit 49 home runs.
For Mariners fans hoping for a brand-new middle-of-the-order splash, that’s the “bad news” angle: the biggest offensive move in this projection isn’t some new star arriving; it’s running it back with the same slugger, warts and all.
Key details (fast):
- CBS’ call: Suárez back to Seattle.
- CBS noted his market has been “quiet” despite 49 HR and 118 RBI.
- CBS flagged the concerns: age, swing-and-miss, and 3B defense.
CBS Predicts Eugenio Suárez Returns And Explains Why the Market Has Been Quiet
Anderson’s logic is pretty blunt: Suárez mashed last season, but teams appear hesitant because he’ll turn 35 in July, has “extreme swing-and-miss tendencies,” and doesn’t bring much with the glove at third.
CBS also tossed in a couple of “if-then” alternatives — teams like Boston or Chicago could get involved depending on how other pursuits go — but still landed on Seattle as the simplest outcome.
That’s what makes this a pressure point for the Mariners right now: if the offseason plan is “add another big bat,” a projection that funnels you back to Suárez can read like the market is pushing Seattle toward the most comfortable (not necessarily the most exciting) solution.
What It Means for Seattle’s Offseason Plan
Suárez isn’t new to the organization, and he’s already had a recent Seattle reunion: The Mariners reacquired him from the Diamondbacks at the 2025 trade deadline after he previously played for Seattle in 2022-23.
So if CBS is right and Seattle ends up circling back again via free agency, the question isn’t whether Suárez can provide power; it’s what comes with it.
Anderson’s list basically spells out the trade-off: home runs, but also strikeouts and defense that may force the Mariners to think creatively about positioning, late-game subs, or how the infield is built around him.
Why This Also Ties Into Seattle’s Other “Big Bat” Track
Here’s the part that makes the CBS Suárez call feel even more consequential: Seattle is also being linked to aggressive trade shopping.
The Mariners have been reported to be willing to move top prospects for Cardinals super utility man Brendan Donovan after losing Jorge Polanco to free agency.
Put those two tracks together and you get the tension:
- If Suárez is the “path of least resistance,” it’s a familiar, likely cheaper power answer.
- If Seattle wants a cleaner roster fit (or a different offensive look), the alternative may be paying in prospects via trade.
That’s why this projection lands as “bad news” for some fans: it hints the market isn’t handing Seattle a fresh, obvious upgrade; it’s nudging them toward either re-signing the familiar slugger or overpaying in prospects to change the infield mix.
What Happens Next
This is still a projection — not a report that Suárez and Seattle are close — but it’s a clear signal about how one national outlet sees the market.
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