In the first major free‐agent move of the winter, first baseman Josh Naylor is set to remain with the Seattle Mariners on a long-term deal. Sources familiar with the negotiations told ESPN that the Mariners and Naylor are “finalizing a five-year contract.”
BREAKING: First baseman Josh Naylor and the Seattle Mariners are finalizing a five-year contract, sources familiar with the deal tell ESPN. The first major free agent to sign this winter goes back to Seattle, where he was beloved after joining the Mariners in a deadline trade.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) November 17, 2025
A Homecoming of Sorts
Naylor reunited with Seattle this past July via a trade with the Arizona Diamondbacks, and his impact was felt immediately. He slashed effectively and showed flashes of power and speed that ignited the Mariners’ surge toward their first AL West title in decades.
Now, the Mariners are locking him in as a foundational piece of their future.
What We Know So Far
-
The deal is reportedly for five years, though financial terms have not yet been publicly disclosed.
-
The contract remains contingent on a physical examination.
-
Naylor’s performance during the second half of the 2025 season — especially after the trade to Seattle — significantly boosted his leverage in negotiations.
Why Seattle Made This Their Priority
The Mariners view Naylor as more than just a hitter. In his time with Seattle, he delivered homers, stolen bases, and leadership — all traits that elevated the clubhouse and energized the fan base.
Team officials and the front office repeatedly called retaining Naylor a top offseason priority.
As one source put it: the Mariners “didn’t want to lose that — the energy, the bat, the versatility.”
What This Means for the Mariners’ Offseason Strategy
With this contract in place, Seattle signals its intent to contend. They are not rebuilding. They are doubling down.
Anchoring the corner with Naylor allows the Mariners to focus on complementary pieces — bullpen upgrades, defense, and perhaps a few more middle-infield or outfield additions — while knowing their first base and middle-of-the-order star is locked in.
Bottom Line
Josh Naylor’s decision to return to Seattle on a five-year deal is a clear signal: the Mariners believe they are in the window to win now, and they trust Naylor to be a core part of that pursuit for years to come.
Once the contract becomes official — likely imminently — it will rank among the earliest high-impact free-agent signings of the 2025-26 offseason and cement Seattle’s status as a serious contender.
9/9/25
HOMERUN:
Josh Naylor homerun off Matthew Liberatore pic.twitter.com/NJ57zt4g9N
— MarinersClips (@ClipsMariners) November 17, 2025
7 Comments