The Seattle Mariners have not been quiet this offseason, but one thing is becoming increasingly clear: they are not finished. Not even close. While the front office has already made meaningful moves to stabilize the roster for 2026, the lineup — particularly the infield — remains a work in progress. And now, after recent comments from both inside and outside the organization, one familiar name is once again at the center of the conversation: Eugenio Suárez.
According to MLB Network insider Jon Morosi, the Mariners’ recent deal for outfielder Rob Refsnyder may be a signal rather than a conclusion — a subtle indication that another, potentially bigger move is coming. That move could take the form of a trade for an All-Star second baseman like Brendan Donovan or Ketel Marte. But there is also another path the Mariners are clearly unwilling to close: reuniting with one of the most emotionally significant players in franchise history.
That reality became impossible to ignore when Mariners general manager Justin Hollander addressed Suárez’s free agency during an appearance on MLB Network Radio’s Front Office show.
“Certainly a chance,” Hollander said when asked about a possible reunion. “We’ve maintained contact with Geno’s reps. We love Geno. Geno brings a ton not just on the field — the things that people see with the 49 homers, the big moments — but off the field. His steady presence, great makeup, what he brings to a clubhouse every day… it’s really hard to replicate.”
Those words matter. Front offices rarely speak this openly about free agents unless the interest is real — and ongoing.
Suárez, now 34, is coming off a remarkable 2025 season in which he tied his career high with 49 home runs while splitting time between the Arizona Diamondbacks and Seattle. While his offensive production dipped after his midseason return to the Mariners, his impact in October erased nearly every concern. His go-ahead grand slam in Game 5 of the American League Championship Series instantly became one of the greatest postseason moments in franchise history, pushing Seattle closer to the World Series than ever before.
That moment still echoes.
On Monday, Morosi expanded on the situation during his weekly appearance on Seattle Sports’ Wyman and Bob, suggesting that a return is not only possible — it may already be framed within strict parameters.
“I do think that Suárez is still someone that they have interest in,” Morosi said. “My strong suspicion is that their interest is on a very limited basis — one year, maybe one year plus an option. They’re willing to bring him back, but it has to be at a term and a dollar amount that makes sense.”
In other words, the Mariners are not chasing sentiment alone. This is calculated. Strategic. And dependent on how the rest of the market unfolds.
One name looms particularly large over Suárez’s future: Alex Bregman. The three-time All-Star is widely viewed as the top third baseman available, and where he lands could trigger a domino effect across the league.
“I think right now Suárez is waiting on the Bregman news,” Morosi explained. “If Bregman goes back to Boston, it would honestly be fitting — and not surprising — if Eugenio Suárez goes back to Seattle. There has been no move the Mariners have made that precludes them from bringing Geno back.”
That statement may be the most revealing of all.
From Seattle’s perspective, alternatives do exist. A trade for Donovan or Marte could solve multiple lineup issues at once. Internally, Ben Williamson remains a high-end defensive option at third base, even if his bat is still developing. The organization is also carefully managing the timelines of top prospects Cole Young and Colt Emerson, both of whom factor heavily into long-term plans.
But that long-term vision does not eliminate the need for reliability now.
“They have to look at the big picture,” Morosi said. “They don’t want to crowd out Williamson, but they also don’t want to put too much on his plate too soon. That’s why it would be wise to add one more legitimate bat from the outside.”
Few bats would be more legitimate — or more familiar — than Suárez.
“Who better than someone who authored one of the all-time great Mariners postseason moments?” Morosi added. “Jerry Dipoto basically said when they traded him before, they wanted him back almost immediately. So… let’s not make the same mistake twice.”
The Mariners are weighing flexibility, finances, development, and emotion — all at once. The door is open. The lines of communication are active. And as the market waits for its next major domino to fall, one thing is certain:
Seattle has not said goodbye to Geno yet.
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