Josh Naylor Rejoins Mariners on New Five Year MLB Contract

Free agent first baseman Josh Naylor has agreed to re-sign with the Seattle Mariners on a new five-year contract, according to several media reports on Sunday night. The exact financial details of the deal were not released, and the agreement will become official once Naylor completes his physical examination. His return is a major move for Seattle, especially after his strong performance last season.

Naylor, who is 28 years old, joined the Mariners earlier in the year when Seattle acquired him from the Arizona Diamondbacks just before the trade deadline. In exchange, Seattle sent left-handed pitcher Brandyn Garcia and minor league pitcher Ashton Izzi to Arizona. The Mariners brought in Naylor at a crucial time in their season, and he quickly became one of their most reliable players.

During the regular season, Naylor made an instant impact. In 54 games with the Mariners, he batted .299, hit nine home runs, and collected 33 runs batted in (RBIs). His on-base percentage of .341 and slugging percentage of .490 showed how effective he was at the plate. His performance played a key role in helping Seattle win the American League West division title.

Naylor performed even better when the playoffs began. In 12 postseason games, he hit .340, with three home runs and five RBIs. His on-base percentage rose to .392, and his slugging percentage increased to .574. These numbers show that he delivered powerful and consistent hitting when his team needed it most.

The Mariners reached Game 7 of the American League Championship Series (ALCS), but their playoff journey ended when they were defeated by the Toronto Blue Jays. Even though the team fell short of the World Series, Naylor’s strong playoff performance made him one of the standout players of Seattle’s postseason campaign.

Before joining the Mariners, Naylor played 93 games in 2025 for the Arizona Diamondbacks. He batted .292 with 11 home runs and 59 RBIs. He also showed impressive speed on the bases, successfully stealing 30 bases out of 32 attempts. With the Mariners, he was perfect in stealing bases, going 19-for-19.

Throughout his Major League Baseball career, Naylor has been known for his power-hitting and versatility. He has a career batting average of .269, with 104 home runs and 435 RBIs across 745 regular-season games. He has played for multiple teams: the San Diego Padres (2019–2020), the Cleveland Guardians (2020–2024), the Arizona Diamondbacks (2025), and the Seattle Mariners. He was also selected as an American League All-Star in 2024 during his time with the Guardians.

Naylor is valued not only for his batting but also for his ability to play several positions. While he is mainly a first baseman, he has also played in the outfield and served as a designated hitter. This makes him a flexible player who can fit into different team lineups depending on the situation.

Josh Naylor’s baseball journey began in 2015 when the Miami Marlins selected him 12th overall in the MLB Draft. Just over a year later, he was traded to the San Diego Padres. In August 2020, the Padres traded him to Cleveland, where he spent four productive years. In December 2024, the Cleveland Guardians traded him to the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for right-hander Slade Cecconi. His move to Seattle in July 2025 later became one of the most successful moments of his career.

Now, with a new five-year contract, Josh Naylor is set to remain an important part of the Mariners’ future. Seattle hopes his powerful hitting, postseason performance, and strong base-running will help the team continue to compete at a high level.