Angels’ Moncada Move Quietly Boosts Mariners’ Chances at Suárez Reunion
In the chess match that is late-January MLB free agency, sometimes the biggest moves are the ones that don’t happen - or, in this case, happen somewhere else. The Los Angeles Angels just made a low-key signing that might have a ripple effect up the coast: bringing back Yoán Moncada on a one-year, $4 million deal. It’s not a blockbuster, but it’s a move that could nudge the Seattle Mariners a step closer to a familiar face - Eugenio Suárez.
Now, let’s be clear: Suárez wasn’t exactly penciled in for Anaheim. But the fit made sense - enough that his name kept popping up in speculative lists and rumor roundups.
He’s a power-hitting third baseman with a track record, and the Angels had a need at the hot corner. That door is now closed, or at least mostly shut, with Moncada back in the fold.
That’s a quiet win for Seattle.
Because when it comes to free agency, especially this late in the offseason, leverage isn’t just about dollars - it’s about options. And every time a team fills a positional need, the market for players like Suárez gets a little tighter. Fewer chairs when the music stops.
Seattle’s connection to Suárez isn’t new. The Mariners have made it clear they’re not done making moves, and a reunion with Suárez keeps coming up for good reason.
He checks multiple boxes: right-handed power, clubhouse familiarity, and a defensive fit at third base. And if the multi-year offers he’s been hoping for don’t materialize?
A one-year deal with Seattle starts to look like a smart reset.
That kind of deal works for both sides. For the Mariners, it’s a short-term investment that doesn’t tie up payroll beyond 2026.
It gives them a proven bat without forcing them to overextend. And if Suárez struggles - if the strikeouts keep climbing and the power dips - they’re not locked in long-term.
But if he finds his groove again? You’re getting real production at a bargain rate.
For Suárez, it’s a chance to reestablish value in a place he already knows. The clubhouse, the coaching staff, the ballpark - all familiar.
And unlike a full rebuild situation, Seattle’s still aiming to contend. That matters.
The one team that might still complicate things? Pittsburgh.
The Pirates can offer Suárez something Seattle can’t: everyday at-bats and a chance to be “the guy” in the lineup. If Boston doesn’t jump into the mix, Pittsburgh’s pitch could carry weight.
But if this market really is trending toward a one-year deal, Seattle’s case becomes stronger - less about volume, more about fit and familiarity.
So while the Angels didn’t sign Suárez, their decision to bring back Moncada may have helped shape the path forward for him - and for the Mariners. In a market where timing is everything and leverage shifts with every signing, this is how reunion deals take shape.
One less landing spot for Suárez. One more reason for Seattle to make the call.