The Seattle Mariners caught the biggest fish of the MLB trade deadline, adding star slugger Eugenio Suarez in a blockbuster deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Seattle is sending three prospects, including first baseman Tyler Locklear, to the D-backs, according to reports.
Locklear was the Mariners’ No. 9 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, while the other two, right-handers Hunter Cranton and Juan Burgos, both ranked within the organization’s top 20.
The addition of Suarez creates a powerful pairing with lefty-swinging M’s catcher Cal Raleigh, whose 41 home runs to begin play Thursday led MLB hitters.
The right-handed Suarez ranked fifth with 36 home runs. Raleigh and Suarez are tied for the MLB lead with 87 RBI.
Suarez, 34, is set to become a free agent after the season, but Seattle deemed him worth the lofty price as it pursues its first playoff appearances since 2002 and a first-ever trip to the World Series.
The Mariners (57-52) began Thursday in a tie with the Texas Rangers for the third and final American League wild card spot.
Since the start of the 2018 season, Suarez boasts 248 home runs — tied with Pete Alonso for the fifth most in the majors.
He endured a pair of injury scares in recent weeks, first when he was hit by a pitch in the left hand during the All-Star Game, and then when he was plunked in the right hand on Monday.
Suarez left both games, but imaging came back negative both times. He returned to the Diamondbacks’ lineup on Wednesday as the designated hitter and went 1-for-4 with a double.
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