The best moves from a busy week in baseball

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We thought this week would bring a whirlwind of action across Major League Baseball, and it hasn’t disappointed.

Since the lockout ended, general managers have been able to re-engage with other clubs and agents in a race to shape their rosters for the upcoming season. All of this is happening as players report to a condensed spring training ahead of Opening Day on April 7.  

There have been some amazing moves. Here are the ones I liked the most.

Mariners land OF Jesse Winker, 3B Eugenio Suárez

The Seattle Mariners entered the post-lockout period wanting a left-handed bat and needing a third baseman. They had been tied to free-agent utilityman Kris Bryant for the latter. It was going to take a big payday to get him, as we saw on Wednesday evening when Bryant agreed to a seven-year $182 million deal with the Colorado Rockies.

Before Bryant made his deal, Mariners’ general manager Jerry Dipoto saw the market getting beyond his comfort level. So, he pivoted into the trade market, acquiring third baseman Eugenio Suarez and outfielder Jesse Winker from the Cincinnati Reds.

The Mariners coveted Winker, a left-hand hitting outfielder who had a breakout season in 2021, hitting .305/.394/.556. He is arbitration eligible and slated to make about $7 million. The Reds didn’t really want to trade Winker but Dipoto found a way to pry him away. Enter Suarez, who plays third base, the position Dipoto needed filled.

Suarez had a dismal 2021 season, hitting a meager .198/.286/.428.  He did slug 31 homers, but last season was a far cry from the 49 home runs he hit in 2019 while batting .271/.358/.572.

The Reds are looking to cut payroll and were hoping to find a taker for the three years and $35 million left