The biggest domino of them all has hit. The Seattle Mariners rather appropriately caught the big fish, landing Diamondbacks slugger Eugenio Suárez in a huge deadline deal.
Suárez, 34, has bashed 36 home runs this year for the Snakes. He was previously a Mariner in the 2022-2023 seasons, and now rejoins them for the stretch run. He’s a huge boost to an already strong offense. Their core of Cal Raleigh, Suárez, Julio Rodriguez, Randy Arozarena, and Josh Naylor looks incredible on paper. It’s a coup for general manager Jerry Dipoto.
Even as a rental player, Eugenio Suárez was the prize hitter of the deadline. Batters on pace to hit 50 home runs don’t hit the market often. Seattle is within range of Houston for the AL West and firmly in the Wild Card chase. Earlier this month, Seattle made another deal with Arizona, getting first baseman Josh Naylor to bolster the lineup. Now they’ve reeled in a second slugger, and a bigger one at that, from the Diamondbacks. While both players are set to hit free agency this offseason, it completely changes their outlook in the playoff race.
The headliner of the package is first baseman Tyler Locklear. The 24-year-old got a cup of coffee in Seattle last year, and has huge hitting potential. He’s got power to all fields, draws a ton of walks, and doesn’t swing and miss often. With Triple-A Tacoma this year, Locklear is hitting .316 with 19 home runs and 18 stolen bases. The ninth-ranked prospect in Seattle’s system, he’s a great get for Arizona, and may immediately replace Naylor’s spot in the lineup after being dealt to Seattle earlier in the month.
Mariners beat writer Daniel Kremer reports that two additional prospects, both pitchers, are going to Arizona as well. It’s unclear who those players are at this time.
