Mariners Projected To Lose $72 Million Slugger After Jorge Polanco Bolts

The Seattle Mariners swung a pair of trades for Josh Naylor and Eugenio Suárez at the trade deadline this season. But both sluggers were on expiring contracts when they were acquired.

Seattle re-signed Naylor on a big contract shortly after the postseason ended. Suárez remains a free agent right now and it doesn't seem like the Mariners will get him back.

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Bleacher Report's Tim Kelly recently predicted the Mariners would lose Suárez in free agency this winter, while also noting a few teams that could sign the slugger. Jim Bowden of The Athletic projected Suárez would sign for $72 million this winter.

Eugenio Suárez seems likely to leave Seattle in free agency

Seattle Mariners infielder Eugenio Suáre — Oct 19, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Seattle Mariners third baseman Eugenio Suarez (28) attempts a throw to first against the Toronto Blue Jays in the second inning during game six of the ALCS round for the 2025 MLB playoffs at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images | John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

"Granted, they could change course now that Polanco has bolted for the Mets, although a trade for Ketel Marte or Brendon Donovan might be the more likely pivot for president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto," Kelly wrote. "Frankly, even if the M's do look for outside help at the hot corner, a reunion with Eugenio Suárez probably doesn't make sense for anyone involved. It's clear that there's love between Suárez and the fans in Seattle, who will always have his Game 5 ALCS grand slam.

"But he now has just a .741 OPS over two stints with the Mariners, and saw his power production drop precipitously following a mid-season trade from the Diamondbacks. It just makes sense for Suárez to look for greener hitting pastures this offseason. Having missed out on Schwarber and Alonso, the Red Sox have shown interest in Suárez, per Alex Speier of The Boston Globe. Suárez, though, presumably will be a fallback option if the Red Sox don't re-sign Alex Bregman."

Suárez fits with a lot of teams, including the Mariners, but it seems unlikely Seattle will spend the money to land him.

Instead, teams like the Boston Red Sox, Detroit Tigers, and Chicago Cubs make more sense for Suárez. These three teams have more cap flexibility and could use the addition of the slugger even more than Seattle.

More MLB: Red Sox Targeting Mariners Slugger In Free Agency: Report