Diamondbacks Acquire Slugger in Trade With Mariners

The Arizona Diamondbacks have solved their third base problem, swinging a trade with the Seattle Mariners, acquiring slugger Eugenio Suarez. 

Source confirms: Diamondbacks acquiring 3B Eugenio Suarez from Mariners for RHP Carlos Vargas and C Seby Zavala. First: @BNightengale, @RyanDivish

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) November 22, 2023

In return, Seattle gets right-hander Carlos Vargas and catcher Seby Zavala. 

Suarez will earn $11M in 2024, with one more year of a club option at that price before he becomes a free agent in 2026. 

The 32-year-old played all 162 games for Seattle this past season, with 22 HR and 96 RBIs, though that came with an AL-leading 214 strikeouts. It's the third time in his career that he's led the league in Ks (that would be good for a pitcher, not so much for a batter). Suarez batted .232 and had an OPS+ of 101 in 2023 (just a tick above league average). 

As noted by Mariners beat writer Ryan Divish, the team is "dumping strikeouts, salary and a whole lot of personality" in Suarez. It appears that Luis Urias would be the starting 3B as things stand now.

Zavala is a highly-regarded defender behind the plate and should serve as Cal Raleigh's backup in Seattle. 

Vargas is a 24-year-old rookie hurler who struggled to a 7.02 ERA in 38 outings at Triple-A Reno this past year, but did average 99.5 mph on his fastball in his five outings for the D'Backs.

Photo: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports