PHOENIX – The D-Backs checked an item off their winter to-do list on Wednesday when they acquired third baseman Eugenio Suárez from the Mariners in exchange for catcher Seby Zavala and minor league right-hander Carlos Vargas.
Third base has been a revolving door for the D-Backs in recent years, and acquiring Suárez gives them stability at the position. He also gives them a right-handed bat, which they were looking for to balance their lineup and give them more power.
“That’s something I see [the D-backs] “I’m really excited to be a part of this and join a team that wants to win the World Series,” Suárez said in a phone interview with MLB.com’s Daniel Kramer. “They were just there and they have that.” Test, and I want to be there right away. I appreciate that they considered me a part of it. That means a lot.”
TRADE DETAILS
D-Backs received: 3B Eugenio Suarez
Mariners receive: Catcher Seby Zavala, RHP Carlos Vargas
Suárez is coming off a season in which he hit .232/.323/.391 with an OPS+ of 101. He possesses tremendous power, having hit over 30 home runs in four of the last five seasons (not counting the pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign).
“We were looking for an everyday third baseman,” D-backs GM Mike Hazen said. “We think this is a guy that adds the power element, a good defender, an everyday player at a position that we’ve had for a few years now. “I think it adds a little stability to that spot. And an incredible clubhouse guy. This is someone we’ve liked for a long time and we feel like he’s a natural fit given our team’s expectations.”
The best thing for the D-Backs is that this move will not prevent them from making additional additions to the team, whether through trade or free agency.
Suárez’s salary – he is under contract for $11 million next season, with the D-backs having a $15 million club option for 2025 with a $2 million buyout – does not exceed budget, that they had planned for this offseason.
Zavala was acquired by the D-Backs last September after the White Sox designated him for assignment, but he rarely played for them down the stretch.
As for Vargas, the D-backs received the flamethrower prospect from the Guardians last winter for minor league right-hander Ross Carver. Vargas struggled with his command last year at Triple-A Reno and appeared in just five games for the D-Backs this year.
In other words, the D-Backs didn’t part with much potential capital in this deal, giving them plenty of choice in future deals.
Despite their run to the World Series, Hazen took a realistic approach to the offseason, noting that the D-backs won 84 games in the regular season and had a better overall record. That, in addition to losing free agents like Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and Tommy Pham, means they have several holes to fill.
With third base now locked down, the D-backs are focused on adding starting pitching, bullpen support and possibly some bench depth.
“We have a lot of things to take care of this offseason,” Hazen said. “We have a lot of things on our to-do list to get our team back together. And you can’t do five things until you’ve done one thing. And that was a player we liked and targeted [and] We felt like the acquisition was something that didn’t stop us from doing other business or doing other things in the offseason.”