Mariners Eye Possible Contract for Josh Naylor

SEATTLE, WA — The Seattle Mariners are considering the future of first baseman Josh Naylor as his time with the team approaches its end. Acquired in a late July trade from the Arizona Diamondbacks, Naylor has significantly impacted the Mariners’ offense since joining. As of Tuesday, he has played 44 games, boasting a .266 batting average, .763 OPS, eight home runs, and 16 stolen bases—none caught.

Naylor, who will become a free agent after this season, expressed interest in returning to Seattle during an interview on Seattle Sports’ Wyman and Bob. Mariners’ president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto discussed potential negotiations on the MLB Trade Rumors Podcast last week, hinting at the team’s desire to keep Naylor beyond 2025.

ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan weighed in on the possible financial parameters for Naylor’s next contract. He noted that first basemen typically have lower market values in free agency. Passan highlighted that ESPN colleague Kiley McDaniel ranks Naylor as the No. 18 player in the upcoming free-agent class, projecting a contract worth $52.5 million over three years.

“First basemen do not get paid in free agency. That’s just the reality,” Passan stated. He compared Naylor to Brewers’ first baseman Rhys Hoskins, who signed a $34 million contract over two years. Passan believes while Naylor is a solid player, the market dynamics may limit his earning potential, suggesting that a three-year deal could be realistic, but not a long term like five years.

As the Mariners continue to chase the postseason, the team’s management will likely prioritize discussions about Naylor’s future in the coming months.