What adding Suárez means for Seattle Mariners lineup

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Had they been in any major league stadium, Seattle Mariners players would have known when the rest of the baseball knew that slugging third baseman Eugenio Suárez was headed back to their team. At Sutter Health Park, however, the devices that would have told them the news were in their lockers in the clubhouse behind the center-field fence.

Report: Mariners reunite with Eugenio Suárez in trade with D-backs

After their loss to the A’s, they trudged back across the field, checked their phones and learned they would soon have a reunion with a favorite former teammate.

“I’m sure we would have known probably ahead of time if we were in a normal stadium, just because they would have probably pushed (Tyler) Locklear out,” said Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh, who was referring to Locklear being part of the trade. “But since there’s no tunnel, no locker room or anything around, word doesn’t travel.”

It was a welcome word nonetheless.

“I feel amazing,” Raleigh said when asked about the effect the move has on the team and a postseason run. “I felt good even going into today, but even better now that Geno’s here. It’s no knock on any guys that are in the clubhouse right now. It’s just how good Geno is and what he brings to the clubhouse and what he brings on the field every day and the consistency.

“I think any time you can add somebody like that to your lineup, it’s a good day. We’re thrilled to have him back and I think it’s going to (provide) a lot of relief for some guys.”

With the threat Suárez has been at the plate this season, having belted 36 home runs, this no doubt should provide some measure of relief for Raleigh, who has shouldered more than his share of the load for the Mariners’ offense this season.

“I think it’s just going to take some pressure off some guys,” Raleigh said. “Whether they admit it or not, maybe guys are trying to overcook things. And when you try to overdo it, try to swing harder, it usually doesn’t help.

“Everybody usually wants to be the guy, but hopefully with the lineup getting deeper and us trusting each other a little more like that, the lineup being longer throughout, we can rely on each other and we can really try to pass the baton. Just not feeling like we need a big three-run homer to win it, and just keep going, just keep passing it.”

Length of the lineup and passing the baton is what led to a successful April for the Mariners this season. That was early, however, and early swings both ways, good or bad. Bad starts can even out and good starts can go in the other direction. It was clear the Mariners needed help – right-handed help in particular.

We will see where Suarez fits into the order, but one thing is certain: It will push a good hitter deeper in the lineup.

“I mean, that’s a deep lineup,” Raleigh said. “Tough to pitch (to), especially when you got that many consecutive bats in a row. I just look at how good he is at driving in runs, runners in scoring position – him and (Josh) Naylor. Naylor’s one of the toughest outs in the league. Getting those two guys are going to be a big add for us. It’s been a fun couple of days seeing us add like that.”

The potential for more fun remains until the trade clock expires Thursday at 3 p.m. There are challenges with the current roster, and bench upgrades are a possibility, as is another addition to the bullpen. Leverage relievers are still available and the Mariners still have prospects they can comfortably trade.

For now, the Mariners got their guy.

More on the Seattle Mariners

• Report: Seattle Mariners reunite with Eugenio Suárez in trade with D-backs
• Trade addition Ferguson reports to team, Mariners option another reliever
• Seattle Mariners trade with Pirates for lefty reliever Caleb Ferguson
• Passan: How Josh Naylor gives the Seattle Mariners an edge
• Seattle Mariners to promote 1B Tyler Locklear, place Luke Raley on IL

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