Following comments from Seattle Mariners General Manager Justin Hollander saying there is “certainly a chance” of a return, Seattle’s interest in re-signing Eugenio Suárez has come back into focus. Speaking after one of the few remaining third-base options came off the board when Mutenaka Murakami signed with the Chicago White Sox, Hollander spoke glowingly of the free agent and former Mariner.
“We love Geno. Geno brings a ton not just on the field, the things that people see…but off the field,” Hollander said on MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM. “His steady presence, great makeup, [and] what he brings to a clubhouse every day, it’s really hard to replicate. So we’ve maintained contact with Geno’s reps all winter long.”
Aug 25, 2023; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Mariners third baseman Eugenio Suarez (28) hits a two-run single against the Kansas City Royals during the fourth inning at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Mariners GM: “Certainly a Chance of Eugenio Suárez Returning to Seattle
The Mariners’ lineup, as it stands, is light to say the least, in addition to questions over starters at third and second base. They were able to secure their highest priority in re-signing Josh Naylor, but with Jorge Polanco signing with the New York Mets, the gaps are starting to show. While the consensus was Suárez would return as the Mariners’ everyday third baseman, it might be more likely that he becomes the primary DH who can fill in at an infield position when needed, as Polanco did last season.
“What he brings to a clubhouse every day is hard to replicate.”
Could a reunion with the #Mariners be in the future for free agent, Eugenio Suárez? 👀
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— MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM (@MLBNetworkRadio) December 21, 2025
It would make sense for the Mariners as they continue to develop multiple young infielders. They would allow a player like Suárez to remain on the roster without blocking long-term options. Just as importantly, Suárez has a track record of providing leadership in the Mariners’ clubhouse. He has played a mentorship role for players like Julio Rodríguez in previous seasons. Hollander emphasized that value, noting how important a player like Suárez can be over the course of a 162-game season. That influence is difficult to quantify. Beyond the obvious upside with the bat, Suárez brings intangibles that are hard to capture with metrics alone. He is widely respected in the clubhouse, and that presence carries significant weight alongside his production at the plate.
As with anything, Suarez’s return to the Mariners will depend on the finances. He will probably also wait to see what the market dictates with other key free agents. But it seems his market has been fairly cool despite his career year. His age, strikeout numbers, and limits defensively mean any long-term commitment is risky for a team. We saw this play out with Murakami’s well-below-expected contract. There is an obvious reluctance to pay high strikeout, defensively limited hitters, even if they do have elite power.
On the other side of this coin, we saw Kyle Schwarber get a monster contract with the Philadelphia Phillies. However, Schwarber finished second in National League MVP voting and was a much more consistent hitter over the course of the season. The expectation is that Suárez will fall somewhere in between. He has proven to be one of the most explosive power hitters in the game, coming off a 49-home-run season. Suárez will rightly expect any contract to reflect this value.
The Last Word
Depending on what other additions or trades the Mariners make, Suárez’s return is very much in play. Hollander would not have gone so public if this weren’t the case. We saw Jerry Dipoto speak similarly of Naylor before he was re-signed. He is a great clubhouse fit, who would seemingly prioritize Seattle over other suitors, but only if the numbers added up. Hollander’s public stance points to an active strategy as Seattle looks to shape the market.
Main Photo Credit: John Froschauer-Imagn Images