The Seattle Mariners may have won their series against the Philadelphia Phillies, but a major weakness remains on the infield.
With Brendan Donovan and Colt Emerson both sidelined, Seattle has been forced to search for stability at third base. The timing isn’t ideal, especially this late in the season, when finding a legitimate upgrade can be extremely difficult.
However, the Mariners appeared to have an intriguing opportunity when the Cincinnati Reds placed veteran third baseman all-star on waivers.
According to MLB Network’s Jon Morosi, Seattle was in an excellent position to bring Suárez back because waiver claims are determined by reverse standings order. With the Mariners owning one of the weaker records among teams still in contention, they would have had a strong chance to land the veteran slugger if they decided to make a claim.
A reunion would also have made plenty of sense. Suárez is already familiar with Seattle after previously playing for the Mariners, and his power could have provided an immediate boost at third base despite his disappointing 2026 campaign.
Unfortunately for Seattle, the opportunity has already passed. Suárez went unclaimed on waivers, meaning he will remain with Cincinnati for now.
That leaves the Mariners still searching for an answer at third base as they push toward the postseason.
If you want, I can also turn this into a more dramatic 300–400 word sports-blog article with a strong “BREAKING” angle.
Here’s a clean, original paraphrase that keeps the same reporting and adds a stronger sports-blog flow:
Eugenio Suárez’s disappointing 2026 season may have opened the door for an intriguing opportunity for the Seattle Mariners.
The Cincinnati Reds placed the 35-year-old veteran on waivers after an underwhelming campaign. Given that Suárez is earning $15 million, Cincinnati’s decision to potentially move on from at least part of that financial commitment is understandable.
Through 103 games this season, Suárez has produced just -0.4 bWAR, along with 19 home runs, 57 RBIs, 143 strikeouts and a .705 OPS. Those numbers are a significant drop-off from what teams have come to expect from the veteran slugger, particularly given his contract.
Still, Suárez’s struggles don’t necessarily mean he has nothing left to offer. For a team dealing with an immediate need at third base, his experience and power could make him a worthwhile gamble.
That is where the Mariners come into the picture.
Seattle has been dealing with injuries to Brendan Donovan and Colt Emerson, leaving a noticeable void at third base. If the Mariners are interested in bringing Suárez back, they could have a legitimate opportunity to do so.
At 64-70, Seattle is just four games behind in the American League Wild Card race and only 2.5 games back of the AL West lead. Among the teams still realistically competing for the postseason, few have a weaker record than the Mariners.
The waiver order could therefore work heavily in Seattle’s favor.
The National League doesn’t appear to have many realistic contenders positioned to beat Seattle to Suárez. In the American League, the Minnesota Twins and Detroit Tigers could potentially make a claim, but neither looks like an obvious fit. Minnesota’s lineup is already in relatively good shape, while Detroit may prefer giving its younger players continued opportunities.
That could leave Seattle as the most logical contender to make a serious push.
Suárez may not be producing at an All-Star level anymore, but his track record remains difficult to ignore. The veteran has launched 344 home runs during his career, and that type of power could be exactly what Seattle needs as it fights to stay in the postseason race.
For the Mariners, this is the kind of late-season opportunity that doesn’t come around often. If they believe Suárez can rediscover even some of his old form, claiming him could provide a surprisingly important boost to an infield that desperately needs help.
