The Arizona Diamondbacks already started making improvements to their roster after their disappointing World Series loss to the Texas Rangers. The team announced the acquisition of third baseman Eugenio Suarez, who arrives in a trade with the Seattle Mariners.
As part of the trade, the Diamondbacks are sending right-hand pitcher Carlos Vargas and veteran catcher Seby Zavala to Seattle.
Speaking with reporters about the trade, Diamondbacks’ general manager Mike Hazen said that the move will give the team more stability on third base.
“It adds a little bit of stability at that spot,” Hazen said. “He’s a guy we’ve liked for a long time.”
Suarez played in all 162 games with the Mariners this past season, batting .232 with 22 home runs and 96 RBIs. The 32-year-old player has had at least 21 homers in each season since 2016, excluding the shortened 2020 campaign.
Suarez, who was an All-Star in 2018, will fill the position of need for the Diamondbacks. Veteran Evan Longoria became a free agent, Buddy Kennedy went to the St. Louis Cardinals through waivers, and the team traded Josh Rojas ahead of the trade deadline.
The Mariners, on the other hand, get out of Suarez’s contract, which pays him $11 million in 2024, while getting two useful players in return. Vargas is still a developmental player, having played just five games in relief this season and finishing the campaign with a 5.79 ERA and seven strikeouts. Zavala, on the other hand, has a .210 career batting average with 14 home runs and 54 RBIs.
