Eugenio Suárez and Jorge Polanco Are Gone - But the Mariners' Roster Questions Are Just Getting Started
In sports, some debates are eternal. Jordan or LeBron?
Jim Brown or Barry Sanders? For Mariners fans, it’s Griffey or Ichiro.
But while those arguments are fun - and often impossible to settle - there’s another layer to the conversation that’s just as important: nuance. And when it comes to the Mariners’ decision to move on from Eugenio Suárez and Jorge Polanco, nuance is exactly what’s needed.
Seattle enters 2026 with a roster that looks ready to contend. World Series aspirations aren’t just wishful thinking - they’re baked into the way this front office has built the team. But even as spring training kicks off, there’s a lingering question hovering over Peoria like a low-hanging cloud: Did the Mariners get better by letting Suárez and Polanco walk?
Let’s break it down.
The Eugenio Suárez Rollercoaster
When Suárez returned to Seattle ahead of last year’s trade deadline, the reunion came with high hopes - and for one unforgettable moment, he delivered. His grand slam in Game 5 of the ALCS wasn’t just clutch; it was the kind of swing that gets etched into franchise lore.
But beyond that? His bat went ice cold.
Despite tying his career high with 49 home runs and setting a new personal best with 118 RBIs over the full season, Suárez’s second stint with the Mariners was mostly defined by his struggles at the plate down the stretch. That postseason slam was a high point, but it masked what was otherwise the worst offensive stretch of his career.
Now, he’s back with the Reds - and by all accounts, he’s already making an impact in Cincinnati. Catcher Tyler Stephenson, who played with Suárez during his first run with the Reds, didn’t hold back when asked about the veteran’s return.
“We know what he’s capable of,” Stephenson said. “On and off the field, he is going to have so much value.
One, the experience and I think just the presence, especially for the younger guys. He’s as good of a person.
Everybody - Reds fans and here - knows who he is. He’s always going to come in with a smile on his face.
He’s going to fit right in.”
That kind of leadership - and power potential - is hard to replace, even if the Mariners had their reasons for moving on.
The Jorge Polanco Rebound
Polanco’s time in Seattle was a tale of two seasons. His 2024 campaign was, frankly, a disappointment.
But credit where it’s due: when the Mariners brought him back on a cheaper deal with incentives last year, the 32-year-old responded. He bounced back in a big way, becoming a key piece in the lineup and helping Seattle capture its first AL West crown since 2001.
Now, he’s wearing Mets blue - and early signs suggest he could be in for a big role. According to reports out of spring training, Polanco is a strong candidate to hit cleanup in a loaded New York lineup that features Francisco Lindor, Juan Soto, and Bo Bichette ahead of him. If he can recapture the form he showed early and late last season, the RBIs will be there for the taking.
For Mariners fans, that’s a tough pill to swallow. Watching a player you just let go thrive in a new setting? That’s the kind of thing that sparks second-guessing, especially if the offense in Seattle sputters out of the gate.
What the Mariners Gained - and What They Gave Up
Seattle didn’t just let Suárez and Polanco go without a plan. They brought in Brendan Donovan, a versatile infielder who checks two big boxes: he can stabilize the leadoff spot and shore up the infield defense. That’s something neither Suárez nor Polanco could consistently provide.
But the numbers tell a more complicated story.
Last season, Suárez and Polanco, along with Josh Naylor, combined for a 128 wRC+, 95 home runs, and 9.6 fWAR. In contrast, the projected trio of Naylor, Donovan, and Rob Refsnyder is expected to produce a 124 wRC+, 39 home runs, and 7.0 fWAR. That’s a noticeable drop in power and overall impact - especially when you consider the kind of offensive production needed to make a deep postseason run.
So while Donovan may be a better fit in some areas, the Mariners are banking on a more balanced, defense-first approach to get them over the hump. It’s a calculated gamble - and one that will be under the microscope all season long.
The Bottom Line
This Mariners team is good. Really good. But the departures of Suárez and Polanco open the door to a fair question: Are they as good as they could be?
If Suárez and Polanco thrive in their new homes - and the Mariners’ offense stumbles - fans won’t hesitate to ask what might’ve been. And while it’s easy to say “trust the process,” the front office knows that in a season with championship expectations, the margin for error is razor-thin.
In the end, this isn’t about absolutes. It’s not about saying the Mariners were right or wrong.
It’s about understanding that in baseball - like in all sports - the truth often lives in the grey areas. And in 2026, those grey areas could define the Mariners’ season.