The question over who will be the Seattle Mariners' opening Day third baseman is still up in the air, even with less than two weeks until pitchers and catchers report for spring training in Peoria, Ariz.

The Mariners have two third basemen with potential: the organization's top prospect Colt Emerson and second-year player Ben Williamson. They are the likely front-runners for the role as of now.

Emerson is considered a top-10 prospect in baseball and ended his season with an 11-game stint with the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers before being called up to Seattle's playoff taxi squad. The Mariners front office has already said that Emerson factors into the team's plans this season.

Williamson made his major league debut a season ago and showed a plus glove at the hot corner. His bat also took drastic improvements in the final two months of the regular season, which he spent at Tacoma.

Williamson was optioned back down to the Rainiers on July 31. He hit .261 with five home runs and 38 RBIs after being optioned back down.

The former William & Mary infielder found himself back in Triple-A after Seattle acquired third baseman Eugenio Suarez in a trade with the Arizona Diamondbacks on July 30.

Suarez was one of the most prolific sluggers in baseball last season. He slashed .228/.298/.526/ with an .824 OPS and hit 28 doubles and 49 home runs with 118 RBIs. With the Mariners, he slashed .189/.255/.428 with a .623 OPS. Nine of his doubles, 13 of his homers and 31 of his RBIs came in 53 games with the M's.

Suarez hit free agency after the season was over. Despite Seattle prioritizing bringing back first baseman Josh Naylor and second baseman Jorge Polanco (who signed a two-year, $40 million contract with the New York Mets this offseason), the front office remained in contact with Suarez and his representation.

Despite this, the odds of a third go-round between Suarez and the Mariners seem to be low.

M's president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto had disappointing comments for people wanting to see Suarez back in a Friday interview with 93.3 KJR.

"He fits emotionally ... but that could be problematic in continuing to build our roster," Dipoto said on the radio appearance. " ... I wouldn't say that's likely at this point."

Re-signing Suarez would be the only road block preventing either Williamson or Emerson from taking the reigns at third base in 2026. Based on Dipoto's comments, the two won't have to worry about that.

And for fans wishing to see version 3.0 of "Good Vibes Only," for now, it looks like they'll have to keep waiting.

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