Seattle Mariners first baseman Josh Naylor is re-signing with the club on a five-year contract, removing one of the most coveted power bats from the free-agent market and delivering an early blow to teams that had targeted him as a fallback option, particularly the New York Mets.

The cleveland.com confirmed that Naylor, 28, is finalizing the agreement pending a physical. Financial terms have not yet been revealed, but the deal marks one of Seattle’s boldest commitments in recent years.

A Blow to the Mets’ Offseason Plans

The Mets, who still have to decide the future of franchise star Pete Alonso, viewed Naylor as one of the most viable replacements should Alonso depart. With Naylor gone, their options narrow sharply.

MLB insider Jon Heyman noted that Naylor was “one of the more appealing Plan B candidates” in the event the Mets failed to re-sign Alonso. With Naylor officially off the board, the Mets could now shift their focus to Cody Bellinger or Japanese star Munetaka Murakami.

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Naylor’s Breakout Season Made Him a Must-Sign

Acquired by Seattle at the trade deadline from the Arizona Diamondbacks, Naylor delivered a monster performance down the stretch.

In just 54 games with the Mariners, he produced:

• .299 batting average
• .831 OPS
• 9 home runs
• 19 steals

Across the full season, combining time with Arizona and Seattle, he posted career-best totals with:

• 20 homers
• 92 RBIs
• 30 steals in 32 attempts
• .295 average

Seattle general manager Justin Hollander made it clear immediately after the team’s ALCS exit that keeping Naylor was his No. 1 priority, and he has delivered.

A Playoff Force for the Mariners

Naylor was one of the driving forces behind Seattle’s postseason surge.
He went 10-for-24 with three home runs and five RBIs in the ALCS, hitting an extraordinary .417 with a 1.273 OPS.

His combination of power, speed, and postseason poise helped the Mariners win the AL West and push the Toronto Blue Jays to Game 7 of the Championship Series, one win away from the franchise’s first World Series appearance.

Seattle Secures a Core Power Bat for Years to Come

Naylor gives the Mariners another long-term middle-of-the-order threat alongside slugging catcher Cal Raleigh. The team’s offense struggled with consistency in past seasons, but Naylor’s emergence gives Seattle exactly what they’ve lacked: a durable, high-impact left-handed hitter with all-around tools.

The move also reunites Naylor with a familiar fan base, he played for the Guardians from 2020–2024 before being traded twice in 2025.

Mariners Send an Early Message in the Offseason

By locking up Naylor before most teams have even finalized their offseason boards, Seattle is signaling that last season’s ALCS run was no fluke. They intend to contend, and Naylor is now central to that plan.

This signing also kick-starts what is projected to be one of the busiest MLB offseason periods in years.

FAQ

1. What is Josh Naylor’s new contract with the Seattle Mariners?

Josh Naylor is finalizing a five-year deal to remain with the Seattle Mariners. The financial terms have not been announced, but the contract is expected to be one of the first major agreements of the 2025–26 offseason.

2. Why did the Mariners prioritize re-signing Naylor?

Naylor became a cornerstone of the lineup after being acquired at the trade deadline. His power, speed, postseason performance, and clubhouse presence made him Seattle’s top offseason priority, according to GM Justin Hollander.

3. How did Josh Naylor perform in 2025?

Naylor posted one of the best all-around seasons of his career, batting .295 with 20 home runs, 92 RBIs, and 30 steals. After joining Seattle, he hit .299 with an .831 OPS.

4. How did Josh Naylor perform in the postseason?

He was one of the Mariners’ best hitters in October, delivering a 1.273 OPS, three home runs, and five RBIs in the ALCS, batting .417 in the series.

5. Did the Mets want to sign Josh Naylor?

Yes. Naylor was widely seen as the Mets’ top fallback option if they failed to re-sign Pete Alonso. His deal with the Mariners forces the Mets to explore other free-agent bats like Cody Bellinger or Munetaka Murakami.

6. What does this signing mean for the Mariners?

Seattle secures a long-term, middle-of-the-order left-handed bat who fits perfectly with their competitive window. Naylor joins Cal Raleigh as one of the Mariners’ core offensive anchors.

7. Where has Josh Naylor played before?

Naylor has played for the Padres, Guardians, Diamondbacks, and Mariners. He was Miami’s first-round draft pick in 2015.

8. When will the deal become official?

The contract becomes official once Naylor completes and passes his required physical.