It’s officially deadline week, and things are getting super real. One of the hottest names flying around is Eugenio Suarez. With the Arizona Diamondbacks looking more like sellers by the day, teams are circling the veteran third baseman like a hawk.

Sure, Suarez just took a pitch off the hand, but that has not slowed down his appeal at all. He is on fire with his 30 homers and 101 RBIs. And this late in the season, it is a hard thing to find. So yes, he might not be the flashiest name out there, but when it comes to power and experience in the playoffs, he checks the boxes. According to MLB insider Mark Feinsand, four teams are officially in the mix: Phillies, Tigers, Cubs, and Mariners.

Now, among them, it’s the Philadelphia Phillies who seem to be heating up fast. And why not? They are right in pace for the playoffs, hun, and are looking for the extra spark. Suarez could fit right into the heart of their lineup and give them another reliable bat for the October push. They have also been linked to Taylor Ward and other outfielders, but Suarez might be the power piece that ties it all together.

There are also the Detroit Tigers, and they have emotion and sentiment behind them when making a decision. Suarez debuted in Detroit back in 2014, and apparently, the front office has been keeping a close eye on Arizona’s Double-A affiliate in Amarillo. It is possible for a reunion, so don’t rule it out. Then there is also the Chicago Cubs, who might also be one of the more aggressive of the bunch. Given that rookie Matt Shaw is still finding his footing, the Cubs are eager to add an experienced bat. Plus, even insider Mike Rodriguez had mentioned that the Cubs are pushing hard for Suarez.

Then there are the Mariners, and they are lurking too. They have got the prospects and resources, and also a similar history to the Tigers with Suarez. He had spent two seasons in Seattle before he got traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks. So a homecoming could be in the cards. At first, the New York Yankees were the only frontrunners for Suarez. However, they went ahead with Ryan McMahon, and that seemed to have opened the avenue for the other teams to go all out for Suarez.

Phillies Eugenio Suárez’s backup plan might be the real game-changer

However, as the Eugenio Suarez chase intensifies, there is also a growing twist—one that might simply change the Phillies’ strategy. According to recent reports, teams are starting to back off from Suarez simply because of the steep asking price by the Arizona Diamondbacks. He is a rental after all, and Arizona apparently wants several top prospects in return for him. Hence, this can make the best of aggressive players regress.

Now, what does this mean for Philadelphia? Well, if Suarez becomes way too pricey, or another contender gives a better deal, then they need to pivot. And they might have to move towards a different kind of upgrade—Taylor Ward from the Angels. He is not a rental like Suarez and is also under team control through 2026, making his price tag a little easier to swallow.

Sure, he doesn’t pack the same punch as Suarez at the plate, but Ward hit his 25th homer of the season on Monday. So he is a very powerful threat. Plus, Ward’s fit in Philly makes a whole lot of sense given he could take over for Brandon Marsh or Max Kepler. Both of whom have had shaky offensive stretches this time around. Suarez, though a force with the bat, is a downgrade from Alec Bohm, and this could create a little havoc if it forces Kyle Schwarber back to the outfield.

For now, the Angels are not in a rush to move Ward, but they need premium prospects to even consider it. If the Phillies decide to go all in, this backup plan will be everything for their 2025 playoff push.