Mariners Rumors: The best fit for Eugenio Suárez might not want him that badly

Ask pretty much anyone connected to the Mariners — whether it be the players, coaches, back room staff, ownership or fans — and there's essentially nothing but love for Eugenio Suárez. This sentiment dates back to his first tenure in Seattle and was only enhanced by his grand slam in Game 5 of last year's ALCS, which put the team on the doorstep of a first ever World Series berth. (No need to expand further...)

However, it would seem the love for Suárez doesn't extend much beyond the Pacific Northwest, which is proving problematic in him getting another contract with less than three weeks to go until pitchers and catchers report. Most notably of all, the Boston Red Sox seem to have little interest in signing him to a deal:

The Red Sox have been on the lookout for another third baseman ever since Alex Bregman decided to take his talents to Chicago and, as we wrote last week, Suárez seemed like a perfect Plan B option. In fact, SoDo Mojo's Zachary Rymer previously called the two-time All-Star and Fenway Park a dream collaboration, thanks to him being a drop-dead-pull hitter combined with the dimensions of the ballpark, specifically the Green Monster in left field.

A path now open for a reunion between Eugenio Suárez and the M's?

However, with the Red Sox seemingly not wanting to pay for Suárez, this could potentially be good news for the Mariners. Yes, the preference and top priority in Seattle should still be to try and agree a trade for the St. Louis Cardinals' utility player and 2025 All-Star Brendan Donovan, but they themselves may need a backup option if this doesn't come to fruition.

Not that there isn't still competition elsewhere for Suárez, with The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal saying on the Monday edition of the Foul Territory podcast that the Pittsburgh Pirates are interested in him. If it comes down to them and the Mariners, the Venezuela native would have to take it on faith that the Pirates can contend in order to pick them. We'd go as far as to call it a huge leap of faith at this point, even allowing for Paul Skenes and a strong farm system.

Not an ideal outcome for the Mariners

To be clear, we're still not sold on Suárez returning to the Mariners for a third time, no matter how beloved he is in Seattle. He regressed offensively during his second spell with the team, with him particularly struggling at T-Mobile Park, and his defensive game leaves plenty to be desired these days.

However, if Jerry Dipoto and company are unable to come to a deal with the Cardinals for Donovan, perhaps a reunion can happen with Suárez, especially with his chances of a big payday seemingly disappearing with every passing day. At one point The Athletic and MLB Trade Rumors had predicted he would get three years at $72 million and $63 million respectively while ESPN projected two years at $45 million, and yet there he still sits, unsigned.

Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times previously reported a potential contract offer for Suárez of no more than two years and $30 million, but if the demand just isn't there elsewhere, maybe the M's can now get him to compromise further at one year for $10 million plus performance incentives. At that price he becomes worth the risk, even allowing for the aforementioned concerns about his productivity or lack thereof.