The Arizona Diamondbacks added some pop to their lineup Wednesday, acquiring slugging third baseman Eugenio Suárez in a trade with the Seattle Mariners.
In return, the Mariners get backup catcher Seby Zavala and right-handed reliever Carlos Vargas.
Suárez, who made the All-Star team while with the Cincinnati Reds in 2018, slashed .232/.323/.391 last season, with 22 home runs. The 32-year-old slugger has a career .788 OPS with 246 home runs, including a career high 49 in 2019. On the downside, he strikes out a lot, whiffing 214 times in 2023 to lead MLB for the third time in his career.
On the financial side, Suárez is entering the final year of his seven-year contract and is set to make $11.3 million.
Zavala is a career .210 hitter in four seasons. The 24-year-old Vargas made his MLB debut last season, appearing in five games. He posted a 4.82 ERA in 90 career minor league games.
Fans seemed to think the Diamondbacks got the better of the deal.
Mariners got fleeced
— Mike (@ChiSoxFanMike) November 22, 2023
Still substantially more valuable than Seby Zavala and an unproven reliever
— Mike (@ChiSoxFanMike) November 22, 2023
I will miss Eugenio Suarez on the Mariners. Good Vibes Only. Geno was that dude that was always making the Mariners more fun.
"I DID IT!" after the walk off was one of my favorite moments.
Thank you, Geno! pic.twitter.com/gPdhFz2pDQ
— Seattle Mariners ON Tap (@MarinersONTap) November 22, 2023
This just proves that Seattle isn’t going after any meaningful free agents to support the young core. Disgraceful.
— Brian Candela (@BrianCandela3) November 22, 2023
D backs needed someone clutch and they got it they really trying to make it again 🫡 respect
— SVT_Eric04⚡️🐝 (@Svt_Eric04) November 22, 2023
What the hell are the Mariners doing…
— Jake (@MarkPriorRBW) November 22, 2023
I’m sure someone somewhere tried to connect the Mariners moving Eugenio Suarez to them somehow trying to trade for Jose Ramirez. If it hasn’t, someone will try …
— Justin (BSky – jlbaseball) (@JL_Baseball) November 22, 2023
[MLB.com]