Josh Naylor, first baseman, reportedly inks 5-year deal with Seattle Mariners

First baseman Josh Naylor and the Seattle Mariners are finalizing a five-year contract, ESPN quoted sources as saying. Naylor, 28, hit free agency for the first time just after Seattle fell to the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 7 of the American League Championship Series. The five-year agreement, pending a physical, marks the first major signing of the MLB offseason.

In 54 games with Seattle, Naylor posted a .299 average with nine homers, 33 RBIs and 19 steals. He carried that momentum into October, batting .340 with three home runs, five RBIs and two steals across 12 postseason contests. For the full season, he finished with a .295 average, 20 home runs, 92 RBIs and a career-best 30 stolen bases.



Manager Dan Wilson commended Naylor’s impact, highlighting both his performance and the leadership he brought during his three months in Seattle.

"You need that intensity. You need that drive," Wilson said as quoted by AP. "I think his drive to win is incredible also. And that’s what you’re going to need from all your guys, and that’s a big part of what he brought to this club."

Across his 93 games with Arizona and Seattle this season, the left-handed slugger posted a .295/.353/.462 line with 20 home runs, 92 RBIs, and a career-high 3.1 WAR. Known for his aggressive approach and elite bat-to-ball ability, Naylor ranked among the top 20 hitters with the lowest strikeout rate this season, reported ESPN.

Naylor, who was a first-round pick by the Miami Marlins in 2015 at No. 12 overall was acquired by the Diamondbacks last offseason from the Cleveland Guardians. Naylor launched 31 home runs in 2024 for the Guardians and earned his first All-Star selection. Across his seven-year MLB career, he has produced a .269/.329/.447 slash line with 104 home runs, 435 RBIs and 55 steals, while appearing in four postseasons.