Eugenio Suárez's All-Star Game remarks must heighten Mariners' urgency for a reunion

The majority of Seattle Mariners fans were focused on Cal Raleigh during the All-Star festivities and quite rightly so, especially after he became the first catcher in Major League history to win the Home Run Derby. However, they would do well to also consider Eugenio Suárez.

Suárez was in Atlanta, Georgia with Raleigh, as a result of earning the second All-Star selection of his 12 years in the majors. He has 31 home runs for the Arizona Diamondbacks so far this season, leads the National League with 78 RBI and has a 142 OPS,+ which projects to be the best of his career.

Suárez got a scare during the All-Star Game on Tuesday night, as he was hit on the hand by a 96 mph fastball from Shane Smith. However, X-rays came back negative.

Eugenio Suárez still has love for the Mariners

The 33-year-old spent two seasons in Seattle during 2022 and 2023, and when asked about his former team on Monday, made comments which should offer at least some hope to Mariners fans who would love to see a reunion. As per Scott Hanson of The Seattle Times, he said: "They treated me really good. Part of my heart is in Seattle."

There's been plenty of speculation about Suárez's teammate Josh Naylor also being a potential target for the Mariners, but it really is a case of 1A and 1B when it comes to which of the Diamondbacks duo is the better option to pursue. What we do feel confident about, though, is that Suárez is a known quantity in Seattle, with no question marks about his ability to fit into the clubhouse and be a vocal leader who others respect.

Helping the situation is that after indicating earlier this month he didn't want to be traded, the Venezuela native appears to have now changed his tone. He said: "You know, everything can happen. I don’t want to say I don’t want to get traded, because this is a business and you never know. It is something out of my control. Whenever I go, I will do my best."

Diamondbacks should be willing to let Eugenio Suárez leave

Of course, just because the Mariners are rumored to want Suárez it doesn't mean that they will actually get him, but he's at least there for the taking with his contract set to expire at the conclusion of this season. The Diamondbacks have a losing record at 47-50 and are trending towards being a seller at the upcoming July 31 trade deadline.

Mariners ownership has apparently indicated money will be made available for the front office to spend, which in the case of Suárez would mean the balance of the $15 million he's owed for the 2025 season. We also know the M's have the ability to entice the Diamondbacks and other teams with their prospects, thanks to having one of the best farm systems in baseball.

For all the offensive improvements the Mariners have made during Dan Wilson's first full year as manager, more is still needed, which is where their former third baseman comes in. If the organization is serious about qualifying for the playoffs and more in 2025 they need to make an aggressive play for Suárez, who they shouldn't have allowed to leave in the first place.