While Eugene Suarez is another ex-Mariner who remains on the team’s radar, Suarez appears to be the backup plan if Polanco doesn’t re-sign, and Jude writes that the M’s might just use Suarez as a part-time third baseman if the slugger ends up back in the Pacific Northwest. That decision seems logical, as Suarez’s public defensive stats were subpar in 2025 (-6 defensive runs saved, -3 outs above average) because the Mariners have better outfield players within the team’s collection of young infield talent.
This internal group is why the M’s seem content to be more or less at third base. Ben Williamson‘s bat is a work in progress at best, but Williamson has a solid glove and can at least hold his own as a defender. Top prospect Foal Emerson has just six Triple-A games under his belt, but he will be a factor for the Mariners at some point in 2026, possibly as soon as Opening Day. Cole Jong is another highly touted prospect who played primarily second base in his 2025 rookie season, and would likely remain in a timeshare with Polanco and play second on days when Polanco is a designated hitter.
The situation could change somewhat if the Mariners were to acquire Donovan, a multi-positional player who could step in at third base when needed. But overall, Seattle is confident its emerging youngsters can help the team in 2026, so even if the M’s are in win-now mode, they don’t want to bring in too much veteran depth to block the internal options.
Jude adds the interesting detail that Scott Boras, Alex Bregman‘s agent, “initiated discussions with the Mariners to express Bregman’s willingness to consider Seattle as a destination.” This is not an uncommon practice in the baseball world, as agents routinely look for potential candidates who could be a fit for their clients. It doesn’t appear the M’s have done much, if anything, to reciprocate this interest, both because of the Mariners’ in-house third basemen and Bregman’s expected price tag.
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