With Cody Bellinger officially off the board and headed to the Bronx, the free-agent spotlight now shifts squarely to Eugenio Suárez - the most potent bat still on the market.
Suárez isn’t just the best of what’s left - he’s a legitimate power threat coming off a 49-homer campaign that was split between two clubs. He launched 36 bombs with the Diamondbacks before the trade deadline, then added 13 more after being dealt to the Mariners. That kind of pop doesn’t sit on the shelf for long, especially now that the market’s top-tier hitters - Kyle Tucker, Bo Bichette, Alex Bregman, and Bellinger - have all found homes.
This is the moment when the second wave of free agency typically starts to move. Once the big-money deals are done, teams looking to add impact without breaking the bank start zeroing in on the next tier - and Suárez is sitting at the top of that list.
Seattle, who brought him in midseason, could be a logical fit for a reunion. They’ve got internal options at third base, including highly touted prospect Colt Emerson and glove-first infielder Ben Williamson. But if the Mariners want a proven bat to anchor the hot corner - someone who’s already familiar with the clubhouse and can slot into the middle of the order - Suárez checks every box.
The question is whether Seattle is willing to meet his price, or if Suárez might be open to a hometown discount to stay with a team that’s built to contend. There’s comfort in familiarity, and the Mariners are positioned to make a run - that combination could be enough to keep him in the Pacific Northwest.
Outside of Seattle, the market gets a little murkier. Teams on the edge of contention - think clubs like the Pirates - could see Suárez as a high-upside bat who brings leadership and power to a young roster. For a team trying to take the next step, he’s the kind of veteran presence who can help change the tone in a clubhouse while putting runs on the board.
Suárez now finds himself in a strong negotiating position. He’s the last big bat standing, and teams looking to make a splash - or simply fill a glaring hole at third - will have to come through him. Whether he returns to Seattle or takes on a new challenge elsewhere, his deal could be the domino that gets the next wave of signings rolling.