THE CHEAP SEATS with STEVE CAMERON: No reason for Mariners not to continue the good vibes

It worked wonderfully. 

Twice, in fact. 

So well, actually, that the Mariners are considering the addition of popular, power-hitting Eugenio Suarez to a lineup that could fit him yet again. 

For a THIRD time. 

The Suarez family tour of MLB (Seattle division) began in 2021, when the Mariners took Geno off Cincinnati’s books along with a legit left-handed swinging Jesse Winker. 

In return, the Reds landed Justin Dunn, Brandon Willilamson and Jake Fraley. 

Looking back, the Mariners seemed willing to accept the Suarez strikeouts (plenty) and reportedly poor defense at shortstop and third base, while acquiring Winker’s professional approach as the No. 3 hitter in Seattle’s revamped lineup. 

It worked out terrifically. 

Except, backwards. 

Winker arrived in a perpetual funk and only seemed to arrive at the ballpark to pick up his paycheck. 

Suarez, meanwhile, showed up with his hair dyed half-back and half-white (his daughter’s request) and the non-stop, cheery cry of “Good vibes only!” 

Geno promptly became one of the club’s most popular players. 

He did lead the AL in strikeouts, but he was surprisingly nimble at third base, and manager Scott Servais said: “With a game on the line, he’s the guy I want up there hitting.” 

DESPITE the good vibes (and making the playoffs for the first time in 2022), the Mariners shocked their fan base by trading Geno to Arizona prior to the ’24 season. 

It was a classic salary dump. 

Not even that much, either: $11 million, which is tip change in the economics of MLB these days. 

The contract ran through 2025, so ownership got out of some cash — but wound up with a serious hole in the infield.  

The Mariners players were not happy with the dismissal of Suarez, either as a major offensive contributor the plate or as a clubhouse leader. 

Seattle ran through a group of third basemen over those next two seasons, and no one really established himself as a lineup regular. 

You could see Act II coming from miles away. 

The Mariners were making a full-blown dash for the postseason last fall, and clearly had some spots they wanted to fill. 

What’s more, they were willing to spend some money. 

They locked up Josh Naylor to a long-term deal, and started prowling around for another bat or two. 

Choice No. 1, incumbent Jorge Polanco, got paid big-time by the Mets. 

No. 2 appears to be D-Backs second baseman Ketel Marte, but that would require a contract heading into his late 30s — and a combo of hefty cash and at least one sharp starter. 

Yikes. 

YES, YOU can find assorted hitters, with different skill sets and different price tags. 

For instance, the Cardinals are shopping 29-year-old second baseman Brendan Donovan, who would fit with the Mariners in lots of ways. 

Remember, Seattle has room for a designated hitter (especially for platoon use) and has just traded with Boston for Rob Refsnyder — who has some power and legitimate barrel rate against left-handers. 

Is Refsnyder more valuable as a platoon player than Suarez, who can also handle infield positions until the Seattle prospects prove they can do damage against big-league pitching? 

The Mariners are waiting on Colt Emerson, who is considered a sure-fire bet throughout all of MLB. 

Emerson conceivably could win an everyday job, perhaps faster than anyone expects. 

If so, he would answer a lot of questions. 

Suarez, meanwhile, might well be strong as ever — for instance, as strong as the hero who clubbed a grand slam homer to clinch the ALDS last October. 

There are a lot of puzzle pieces involved here, players of various abilities, ages and cost. 

The thing about Suarez, though, is that he’s (more or less) a sure thing.

“Good vibes only!” 

Email: [email protected] 

Steve Cameron’s “Cheap Seats” columns appear in The Press three times each week, normally Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday unless, you know, stuff happens. 

Steve suggests you take his opinions in the spirit of a Jimmy Buffett song: “Breathe In, Breathe Out, Move On.”