The Seattle Mariners are locked in a battle for both the American League West crown and a wild-card berth, and they are banking that third baseman Eugenio Suarez can help them to get there.
The team announced Thursday the official re-acquisition of Suarez, who played with them from 2022-23, from the Arizona Diamondbacks.
“We’re thrilled to bring Geno back to Seattle,” Jerry Dipoto, the Mariners’ president of baseball operations, said in a team statement. “He’s the type of person, player, and energizer to push us to the level we want to reach.”
The Mariners are sending infielder Tyler Locklear, right-handed pitcher Juan Burgos and minor league right-handed pitcher Hunter Cranton to Arizona in exchange for Suarez.
“The addition of Geno is incredibly impactful on the field and in our clubhouse.” general manager Justin Hollander said. “We are beyond thrilled to welcome Geno and his family back to the Mariners!”
The Mariners begin a crucial four-game home series with the Texas Rangers on Thursday. Both the Rangers and Mariners enter play with 57-52 records, five games behind the Houston Astros for the division lead and tied for the third and final AL wild card.
Suarez, 34, has 36 home runs and 87 RBIs (tied for the major league lead) this season while batting .248 in 105 games. The veteran made his second All-Star team this year and is the first player in big-league history to be traded midseason after hitting at least 35 home runs.
He will provide a potent 1-2 punch with catcher Cal Raleigh, who leads the majors with 41 home runs.
In his two seasons in Seattle, Suarez produced a combined 53 home runs and 183 RBIs. The Venezuelan slugger played with the Detroit Tigers in 2014 and spent seven seasons with the Cincinnati Reds before being acquired by Seattle.
He figures to provide the Mariners with a major power upgrade at third base over Ben Williamson, who is hitting .253 with one homer and 21 RBIs in 85 games.
Locklear, 24, was the Mariners’ ninth-rated prospect, per MLB Pipeline. In 98 games for Triple-A Tacoma this year, he batted .316/.401/.542 with 19 home runs, 82 RBIs and 18 stolen bases.
Cranton, 24, was rated No. 16 in the Seattle organization by MLB Pipeline. While playing for teams at the rookie level and Class-A this season, he went 2-0 with three saves and a 0.90 ERA in 10 games (10 innings).
Burgos, 25, was considered the Mariners’ No. 17 prospect, according to MLB Pipeline. Between Double-A and Triple-A this year, he went 3-1 with three saves and a 0.87 ERA in 25 relief outings (31 innings).
Burgos also appeared in four games for the Mariners this season, posting a 4.05 ERA and eight strikeouts across 6 2/3 innings.
