The Arizona Diamondbacks picked up the club option for veteran third baseman Eugenio Suarez after his superstar-level second half of the 2024 season, ESPN’s Jesse Rogers reported Friday.
Suarez’s option for 2025 was worth $15 million, and he played himself into favor after a silent first half of the season.
Suarez produced a .586 OPS with six homers through his first 77 games and his spot in not only the starting lineup but the roster became tenuous. Over his final 81 games, Suarez slashed .312/.359/.607 with 24 home runs to finish with 30 homers and 101 RBIs.
The 33-year-old finished fourth on the team in bWAR at 3.1, only trailing Ketel Marte (6.8), Geraldo Perdomo (3.4) and Corbin Carroll (3.4).
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The Diamondbacks dealt backup catch Seby Zavala and young relief pitcher Carlos Vargas to the Seattle Mariners for Suarez early last offseason. The D-backs, coming off a World Series run, had a hole to fill that third base and wanted more thump in the middle of the lineup.
Suarez also has had a reputation as a high-character teammate and clubhouse leader throughout his career. Even during Suarez’s struggles, manager Torey Lovullo and several teammates recounted Suarez being a consistent presence and quality teammate. That did not change when the baseballs started leaving the yard in the second half.
The veteran has also been durable, playing at least 150 games in each of the past three years. He took the field for 158 games in 2024 for Arizona after playing all 162 in 2023 with Seattle.
Suarez slots in at the hot corner with Geraldo Perdomo and shortstop and Ketel Marte at second base entering next season. First baseman Christian Walker is a free agent. The Diamondbacks also have top prospect, shortstop Jordan Lawlar, coming off an injury-marred season and expected to take on a sizable role at some point.
Utility infielder Kevin Newman is also a free agent.
Alex Bregman is the big name on the third basemen free agent market after a decorated run with the Houston Astros. With Suarez returning to Arizona, there is a steep drop-off from Bregman to the other available third basemen on the open market.