Absurd trade pitch shows Mariners where to hold the line on Eugenio Suárez

With every passing day leading up to the trade deadline, the hypothetical trade packages get wilder — and apparently, no team is safe from them. Naturally, the Seattle Mariners have found themselves tossed into the mix for one of the most sought-after trade chips on the market: Eugenio Suárez.

Suárez returning to Seattle is a fun thought. We’ve all entertained the idea. But some of these proposals are completely unhinged.

The latest? Courtesy of former MLB GM and current writer for The Athletic Jim Bowden, who, in the spirit of deadline drama, concocted a package that feels like satire. Here’s what Bowden believes could get the deal done:

"A package highlighted by middle infielder Michael Arroyo and right-hander Ryan Sloan could be enough to get a deal done. Arroyo, 20, has reached base at a .417 clip this season between High A and Double A. He has 17 homers and 49 RBIs. A second-round pick in 2024, Sloan has a 3.43 ERA over 15 starts this season at Low A. The 19-year-old has logged a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 5.82."

Jim Bowden for The Athletic

No thank you.

Proposed Eugenio Suárez deal crosses the line for the Mariners

Let’s break this down. Yes, Arroyo is a legitimate prospect, he’s crushing it across two levels this year and flying up the rankings. He’s exactly the kind of prospect you hold onto unless a controllable, long-term piece is coming back in return. And Sloan? A 19-year-old with advanced pitching mechanics and a ridiculous K/BB ratio? You don’t toss that kind of arm into a deal for a two-month rental, especially not a rental you already moved on from once.

Bowden’s proposal isn’t just ambitious. It’s actually completely misaligned with Seattle’s approach and current situation. The Mariners are a team that builds methodically, prioritizing value and long-term control. Giving up two of your more intriguing farm pieces for two months of Geno? That’s not just aggressive, it’s reckless.

Let’s also not ignore the context in Arizona. The Diamondbacks aren’t shopping Suárez just to window-dress their farm. They’re eyeing a minor youth movement, preparing to hand third base over to top prospect Jordan Lawlar. Their actual need is young MLB-ready pitching, not prospects who might arrive in 2027. Sloan fits the “young” bill, but that’s about it.

If Seattle were to make a real push here, a more realistic framework would probably center around an arm like Emerson Hancock or Logan Evans. Still valuable, still with upside, but far more palatable in a deal for a player like Suárez, who’s likely nothing more than a temporary spark plug.

At the end of the day, we love a spicy trade proposal. We’ve even crafted a few of our own. But this one? This ain’t it. It’s the kind of suggestion that reminds Seattle exactly where they should draw the line.