Seattle Mariners secure first free agent of 2025 with Josh Naylor
Josh Naylor arrived in Seattle mid-season and decided to stay after being a key player in the postseason
The Seattle Mariners reached an agreement with a five-year contract with first baseman Josh Naylor, according to ESPN. The deal has not yet been officially announced by the organization. Naylor, 28, first entered free agency after Seattle's loss to the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 7 of the American League Championship Series. From that moment on, president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto made it clear that retaining the first baseman was a top priority for the franchise. Acquired from the Arizona Diamondbacks mid-season, Josh Naylor immediately clicked with the Mariners, both on and off the field. Manager Dan Wilson repeatedly praised the first baseman's energy and winning mentality. "You need that intensity. You need that drive. His desire to win is incredible," Wilson said. “That’s what’s needed from every player, and it’s a big part of what he brought to the club.”
Naylor became a key figure down the stretch and in the postseason, where Seattle came within a whisker of reaching the World Series.
Josh Naylor’s Numbers That Convinced the Mariners
Josh Naylor’s impact was immediate after arriving in Arizona:
With the Mariners (54 games):
In the postseason (12 games):
Total 2025 Stats:
A Key Move for Seattle’s Future
With this contract, the Mariners secure one of their most productive players in their bid to remain contenders in the American League. Naylor's continued presence not only strengthens the offense, but also the leadership and competitive identity the club has sought to build. Seattle, which came within one win of the World Series in 2025, is betting on continuity to take the next step in 2026.

