Mets' rumored infield yard sale is an invitation for Mariners to go to town

With the trade deadline inching closer, it’s no secret the Seattle Mariners are scouring the market for offensive reinforcements at third base. One name that continues to surface is Eugenio Suárez, the former Mariner now mashing in Arizona.

A reunion with Suárez would be popular with fans and would bring a much-needed punch to Seattle’s lineup. But here’s the problem: everyone wants him.

Suárez is the top bat available at the hot corner and has drawn interest from a handful of contenders. The bidding war is already heating up. If the Mariners can’t make a reunion happen, they’d be wise to quickly pivot.

Seattle should be checking in on controllable infield talent in Queens

According to recent reporting from Will Sammon of The Athletic, the New York Mets are open for business, but not in the way you might expect. Francisco Lindor, Pete Alonso, and Jeff McNeil are staying put — but the rest of the young infield core is on the table. Brett Baty, Ronny Mauricio, Mark Vientos, and Luisangel Acuña have all reportedly been made available. For a Mariners team with a long-term outlook and a love for controllable capital, this might be the most intriguing opportunity on the market.

The Mets’ rumored fire sale isn’t about stripping the team to the studs. It’s about reshaping a flawed roster, particularly with an eye on adding bullpen arms.

Each of the Mets’ available infielders offers a different kind of intrigue. None are without flaws, but all are under club control until at least 2030.

• Brett Baty: A lefty bat with pop, Baty is slashing .237/.295/.432 over 80 games, with 11 home runs and 33 RBIs. While his consistency at the plate has been up and down, the raw tools are there. He still profiles as a potential everyday third baseman.
• Ronny Mauricio: Once one of the most hyped switch-hitters in the Mets system, Mauricio brings versatility and power, though his development has been slowed by injuries. Still just 24, there’s untapped upside here if Seattle believes in its hitting infrastructure.
• Luisangel Acuña: The brother of Ronald Acuña Jr., Luisangel is a high-contact, high-speed infielder who’s also capable of playing the outfield. His bat may not be flashy, but his defensive versatility and baserunning would fit right into Dan Wilsons’ style of play.
• Mark Vientos: A name that’s been loosely tied to Seattle before, Vientos may be an interesting buy-low option after his breakout 2024 campaign that saw him smash 27 home runs. Currently having a down year slashing .223/.278/.351 with six home runs and 25 RBIs, Vientos is a right-handed power bat with corner infield experience, he could offer immediate depth while still having developmental room to grow.

None of these players are rentals. That’s both the good news and the challenge. Because of their controllable contracts, none of them will come cheap — but that’s precisely what makes them worth considering. Seattle has already shown a preference for targeting players who fit into their long-term plans rather than chasing short-term fixes. These infielders check that box and give the Mariners multiple years of flexibility and growth potential.

The Mets, meanwhile, are reportedly eyeing legit bullpen arms. They’re not looking for fliers from Triple-A. Think names like Pittsburgh’s Dennis Santana or David Bednar — established, controllable relievers. Seattle won’t move a piece like Andrés Muñoz, and Matt Brash remains off-limits, but a creative package built around Gabe Speier or Carlos Vargas, could keep the Mariners competitive in talks.

If the Mariners want to swing a bit bigger, it’s not unthinkable to package a mid-tier arm from the system with a higher-ceiling asset in a mutually beneficial trade.