SEATTLE — One of the most popular players in every clubhouse he’s occupied returned to a hero’s welcome in Seattle a few months after delivering a memorable grand slam during the deepest playoff run in Mariners history during his second stint with Seattle.
The way the M’s organization and fans treated Cincinnati Reds DH Eugenio Suárez before his first at-bat during this week’s series opener at T-Mobile Park, an innocent bystander might guess that a third go-round is being planned at the Aug. 3 trade deadline.
The Mariners, after all, have made it clear they’re seeking a right-handed bat at the deadline a year after their deadline acquisitions included the celebrated return of Suárez in a trade with Arizona.
Unless the fans get a vote, it probably won’t happen this time around. The crowed gave Suárez a standing ovation before his at-bat leading off the top of the second inning Monday night after a rousing video highlight tribute.
But as Suárez stood betwixt his two favorite franchise this week – two teams that each have acquired him twice in his career – he faced the strong likelihood that he’ll be on the move again before Aug. 3.
“I’ve been through that at least twice in my career,” he said. “But I’m not putting my attention on that. I’ve just got to be professional, play for this team and go out there and play every day hard.”
Besides, he wants to stay all season with the Reds.
“That’s my hope,” he said to the throng of media gathered around him in the Reds’ dugout a few hours before the Seattle opener. “You never know. I’ve been on teams where I like to be, and this year it’s been really nice.
“It’s not ended yet, and I hope and pray for a better situation for me and my team and for the organization that I play right now for.”
The Reds opened the series in Seattle in last place, eight games under .500, even after winning their weekend series in Colorado coming out of the All-Star break.
Suárez, who started slow before suffering a four-week oblique strain, has taken an upturn the last two weeks offensively, with four of his 12 home runs in the last nine games and an .872 OPS in his last 11 games through the weekend.
This after a 49-homer season last year that was the hope behind the $15 million signing for the Reds over the winter.
“This season has been like a roller coaster, back and forth, back and forth,” he said. “I had an early oblique; I never had it before.”
He said he wants the chance to keep turning his season around with the Reds, despite all signs pointing to Reds fire sale over the next two weeks.
“Obviously, I don’t want to leave. I don’t like it. I know everybody knows that I don’t like it,” he said. “But it is what it is. I understand the business. I will let the front office do their job.
“The season has been back and forth, but right now I’m starting to feel a lot better,” he added. “And my swing is in there. I just don’t want to try too much and try to put more pressure than this game already has on myself. Just try to enjoy my time and do my best.”
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Eugenio Suárez makes preference clear as Reds approach trade deadline
Reporting by Gordon Wittenmyer, Cincinnati Enquirer / Cincinnati Enquirer
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By Gordon Wittenmyer, Cincinnati Enquirer | USA TODAY Network
