Could the Mariners Run It Back with Eugenio Suárez? Only If It’s the Right Fit
When Mariners GM Justin Hollander went on MLB Network Radio and said there’s “certainly a chance” Eugenio Suárez returns to Seattle, it wasn’t just idle chatter. That kind of comment - especially this late in December - is the front office equivalent of leaving the porch light on. And as the options for impact bats continue to dwindle, the idea of a Suárez reunion suddenly feels a lot more plausible than it did just a few weeks ago.
Let’s be clear: the Mariners still need another bat. A real one.
The kind that can change a game with one swing and make opposing pitchers sweat in October. And with Jorge Polanco off to the Mets, Brandon Lowe headed to Pittsburgh, and Munetaka Murakami signing with the White Sox, the list of available hitters who fit that bill is getting shorter by the day.
That’s what makes the “bring back Geno” conversation worth revisiting - even if it’s complicated.
Suárez Still Brings Value - On and Off the Field
Hollander didn’t hold back when discussing what Suárez meant to the team. He pointed to the 49 home runs Suárez has hit since arriving in Seattle and emphasized the consistency he brought to the lineup - both in performance and presence. “What he brings to a clubhouse every day is hard to replicate,” Hollander said, and he’s not wrong.
Suárez has long been a glue guy. A veteran who keeps the dugout loose, shows up ready to play every day, and has a knack for delivering in big moments.
That matters - especially for a team with a young core still learning how to win consistently. His power, his leadership, and his familiarity with the Mariners’ culture all check important boxes.
But this isn’t just about vibes. It’s about roster construction. And that’s where things get a little tricky.
The Roster Fit Is Where Things Get Complicated
The Mariners have made it clear they want to give their young infielders - especially Ben Williamson and Colt Emerson - a real shot at third base. That’s not just lip service. There’s a developmental plan in place, and blocking that path with a veteran on a sizable deal would go against the grain of what Seattle’s trying to build.
So if Suárez comes back, it likely can’t be as the everyday third baseman. That role may no longer be his. Instead, we’re probably talking about a DH-heavy assignment with some third base sprinkled in - a hybrid role that keeps his bat in the lineup without stalling the kids’ progress.
The big question: would Suárez be open to that kind of role? And if he is, would the Mariners still have enough flexibility - financially and structurally - to go out and get another true middle-of-the-order threat?
Because here’s the thing: bringing Geno back is only a win if it doesn’t stop you from chasing someone like Brendan Donovan or Ketel Marte via trade. Those are the kinds of bats that can elevate a lineup from “solid” to “dangerous.”
If Suárez is part of the solution, great. But if he is the solution?
That’s when the plan starts to feel more like a nostalgia play than a postseason push.
Seattle Needs More Than Sentiment
This isn’t about whether Suárez is still a valuable player. He is.
But he’s also a mid-30s slugger with swing-and-miss in his game, and that profile comes with built-in risk - especially if he’s being counted on to carry a major offensive load. There’s a reason even the “fan favorite” label comes with a soft asterisk heading into 2026.
The Mariners can’t afford to let sentiment drive decision-making here. Not when the AL West is shaping up to be a dogfight and the window to contend is wide open.
They need a lineup that can go toe-to-toe with the big boys in October. One that can manufacture runs on tough nights and put up crooked numbers when the bats get hot.
If Suárez fits into that vision - as a piece, not the centerpiece - then a reunion makes a lot of sense. He knows the clubhouse, he brings pop, and he’s proven he can thrive in Seattle.
But if the front office brings him back and calls it a day? That’s when the fanbase has every right to start asking tougher questions.
Because this team doesn’t just need good vibes. It needs firepower. And the clock is ticking.