An Eugenio Suárez reunion is suddenly looking impossible for the Mariners

While there was always uncertainty surrounding Jorge Polanco's return to Seattle, Mariners fans still had to deal with the emotional fallout when it became official that he had agreed terms with the New York Mets. Our advice is to get ahead of the curve this time around, in accepting that Eugenio Suárez will similarly not be re-signing in the Pacific Northwest.

Now yes, we appreciate that we previously wrote about this scenario back in November, with the Mariners' firm contract limits all but ensuring Suárez's second exit from Seattle. Well, Alex Bregman signing with the Chicago Cubs only reinforces our ongoing belief that the M's will need to look elsewhere for their main third baseman in 2026.

In an ideal world, the Mariners and the majority of their fanbase would more than like to have Suárez back in Seattle for this coming season, but we're not dealing in ideals. And now that Bregman has signed his significant five-year, $175 million deal with the Cubs, this seemingly puts the M's fan favorite in a stronger position to get what could be the last big payday of his Major League career.

Eugenio Suárez advised to wait it out

MLB Network insider Jon Morosi actually spoke about the market for Suárez in relation to Bregman last week, during his regular appearance on Seattle Sports radio with Dave Wyman and Bob Stelton. As Morosi said:

"With Suárez, it’s Bregman. He’s comfortable waiting. (Suárez) is going to have to wait unless he’s ready to take something of a below-market deal. I think honestly once you have waited this long, might as well wait a little bit longer and get the right deal in the right place."

Jon Morosi

With Bregman now signed, why wouldn't Suárez hold out for a really good deal at this point, even if his preference — as it was with Polanco — is to return to Seattle? The Mariners are likely not prepared to offer more than two years, whereas The Athletic and MLB Trade Rumors both projected to the two-time All-Star to sign somewhere for three years, which of course means more money and security.

MLB Trade Rumors in particular have really nailed it with their projections, with Bregman projected for $160 million over six years and getting $175 million over five, while tabbing Japanese superstar Kazuma Okamoto for $64 million over four years and him getting $62 million over the same length with the Toronto Blue Jays. Heck, closer to home it's worth noting they predicted Josh Naylor would get five years and $90 million, with him eventually agreeing at $92.5 million with the Mariners.

Mariners just cannot justify forking out the big bucks

As for Suárez, MLB Trade Rumors have him at $63 million over three years, although again, the Mariners don't want to go beyond two seasons. And even if 34-year-old was to go along with this length of term, he won't accept the $30 million which Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times has previously reported is the most the M's are prepared to offer.

While there will understandably be a segment of the fanbase using this as (another) example of the Mariners not being prepared to invest in the team financially, the cold hard reality is that Suárez just isn't the player he used to be. He still had his moments in 2025, specifically his grand slam home run in Game 5 of the 2025 ALCS which is one of the biggest hits in franchise history. But overall, he struggled immensely with his bat during his second spell in Seattle, and even more so on the defensive side of the diamond.

Further giving the Mariners cause not to splash the cash is their young infield talent, particularly top-rated prospect Colt Emerson and elite defender Ben Williamson. Make no mistake in saying the organization would welcome Suárez if the terms were right, but his financial demands combined with flagging production make a reunion seemingly impossible.