Trade grades: The all-in Mariners land the big bat they coveted in Eugenio Suárez

New York Times

2 days ago

Mariners get: 3B Eugenio Suárez
Diamondbacks get: 1B Tyler Locklear, RHP Hunter Cranton, RHP Juan Burgos
Mariners: A
Diamondbacks: C
Grant Brisbee: A sneaky storyline of the 2025 season is that the Mariners are one of the better offensive teams in the American League. There's nothing sneaky about what Cal Raleigh is doing, but several other regulars are having fine offensive seasons, and it's all been enough to give them the second-best adjusted OPS (OPS+) in the AL.
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Still, they had obvious holes at the infield corners, and even after they acquired first baseman Josh Naylor in a separate deal with the Diamondbacks, a trade for Eugenio Suárez was such a perfect match that it felt preordained. He'll give the Mariners a middle of the order with two potential 50-homer players. That'll help them reach the postseason, and having a 100-dinger tandem isn't a bad strategy to have when they get there.
As for the Diamondbacks, they're getting Tyler Locklear, who Keith Law described as a likely backup 1B/DH without 'any ceiling beyond that' in his top-20 Mariners ranking, which isn't the most exciting description for the main prospect in return for an elite slugger, although he's had a fine season in Triple-A since. They also received right-hander Hunter Cranton, a reliever with 'serious hop' on his fastball, and Juan Burgos, a right-hander who appeared in four games out of the Mariners bullpen this season.
If you're the Mariners, it's an easy trade to make. If you're the Diamondbacks, it'll be hard to get too excited about this move until Locklear starts providing even half the power production that Suárez was giving them.
Mariners: A
Diamondbacks: B
Cody Stavenhagen: Trader Jerry is at it again. In a time where front offices can overanalyze and paralyze themselves, Jerry Dipoto went and got the best hitter on the market. For all his defensive shortcomings and the whiff in his bat, Suárez is a legitimate power threat and a beloved clubhouse presence everywhere he has been. Less than two years ago, Dipoto traded Suárez for Seby Zavala and Carlos Vargas. Now he gets him back without sacrificing the top of his farm, at a time where the Mariners are finally gearing up to make a real push in a wide-open American League.
Locklear is well-liked but ultimately a right-handed first baseman dependent on power. Arizona could be a good fit to get him at-bats. Burgos and Cranton should develop into big-league relievers, but it's hard to say what kind of ceiling either have.
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The Diamondbacks ultimately get some useful pieces, but it doesn't seem they struck gold in exchange for their rental hitter.For the Mariners, giving up three players always comes with some risk. Good on them for taking it. This is a serious move for a franchise that has been begging for one. The Mariners just asserted themselves as a real contender in the American League.
Mariners: A
Diamondbacks: A-
Sam Blum: I picked the Mariners to win the World Series before this season started, because their pitching was so good. There's no better rotation in baseball, and even with a pedestrian offense, I thought it would be enough. Their decision to have a largely dormant offseason irked their fanbase because it appeared they were willing to let an all-time competitive window pass them by. But Mariners president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto has always done his work on the trade market, and he just picked up the best offensive trade chip available to him. It signals to everyone that they intend to do everything they can to win a championship. In a season of parity and mediocre first-place teams, the Mariners are trying to set themselves apart. Now, you could criticize them for letting Suárez go in the first place a couple years ago, but such is the reality of how these things go.
Because of that, the prospect cost is of secondary importance. First base prospect Tyler Locklear, who had just been called up, heads to the Diamondbacks. He's Seattle's No. 12 prospect, according to The Athletic's Keith Law. A tough player to lose, no doubt, and a good return for Arizona. Especially when you consider they traded Josh Naylor, their Opening Day first baseman, to Seattle last week. The DBacks get a legitimate building block, and two of Seattle's best pitching prospects, and the Mariners get back one of the best power hitters in baseball. This is a good deal for both sides.