After putting together another dynamic season at the plate, Eugenio Suarez remains one of the better free agents remaining on the open market.
The 34-year-old Suarez was a contributing member to the Seattle Mariners’ late-season push for a World Series title. A contending team would benefit from adding the veteran right-hander to its lineup. On the flip side, a team looking to take the next step and push into contention might also be an intriguing option for Suarez.
A team that I believe should pursue the slugging third baseman is the New York Mets.
New York, New York
After Pete Alonso left earlier this free agency for the Baltimore Orioles, the Mets have a vacancy to fill in their lineup.
Replacing 38 home runs and 126 runs batted in surely won’t be a simple task. New York found a quick substitution with the signing of Jorge Polanco for 2 years and 40 million dollars. Polanco has never played first base in his career (aside from one half inning in 2025). He will learn the position in Spring Training and look to fill Alonso’s cleats.
Mark Vientos is another option for first base, moving him away from the hot corner. Vientos is certainly not known for his glove, so this could be a beneficial move for New York in many ways. Polanco would DH, and Brett Baty would assume the third base role.
While these are logical internal options, I believe the Mets need to act with more urgency. One year removed from giving Juan Soto the largest contract in baseball history, New York needs to be in a win-now mode.
They have already put together a deep payroll, but their roster is not good enough to compete in 2026. The team finished second to the Philadelphia Phillies last season in the NL East. A recovered Atlanta Braves and hungry Miami Marlins could make a push this upcoming season.
That is not to mention the back-to-back World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers, the Milwaukee Brewers, the Chicago Cubs, the San Diego Padres and more.
Enter Suarez
If the New York Mets were to sign Suarez, for example, their lineup would get that much deeper. I believe that a two-year/45-million-dollar contract would do the trick.
| Francisco Lindor | SS |
| Marcus Semien | 2B |
| Juan Soto | RF |
| Eugenio Suarez | 3B |
| Jorge Polcano | DH |
| Mark Vientos | 1B |
| Jeff McNeil | LF |
| Francisco Alvarez | C |
| Carson Benge | CF |
Vientos or Baty could then become expendable in a trade for starting pitching. A team like the Washington Nationals, who have Mackenzie Gore available, could be interested in an in-division deal. Maybe the Miami Marlins would think of moving Sandy Alcantara if the price was right as well.
One thing is for sure: Suarez would make the Mets a more formidable opponent in 2026. The club must capitalize on Soto’s prime while maximizing Lindor, Semien, Devin Williams and others.
Owner Steve Cohen has proved that money is not an object. This could be a fit for a slugging third baseman who is looking to compete.
Will the Mets go after Suarez? That is hard to tell at this stage of the game.
Matt Watson Media 
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