After clearly taking some time to reflect upon what happened in the 2025 campaign, Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh took to Instagram on Tuesday to offer up his appreciation for the historic season, and he also delivered a message that should fire up M's fans for 2026.

The Mariners won the American League West for the first time since 2001 and advanced to the American League Championship Series, coming within one win of the World Series for the first time ever.

What Raleigh said

'To my family, friends, teammates, coaches, staff and the fans who showed up through it all, thank you. This season was special, and I'll carry it with me forever. We came up short of what we set out to do, and that motivates me more than anything. We will bring a World Series to Seattle.'

Raleigh's special year

While Raleigh is right in that the season was special from a team perspective, it was also special from his own individual perspective. Raleigh's 60 home runs led the major leagues and have him as one of the favorites for the American League MVP Award.

Furthermore, he set new records for home runs in a season by a catcher, home runs in a season by a switch-hitter and home runs in a season by a Mariners player.

He's a near lock for the American League Silver Slugger at catcher, which would come one year after he won the Platinum Glove Award. He was named an All-Star for the first time this season, and he also won the Home Run Derby in his first appearance.

What's next for Raleigh?

Hopefully rest. Raleigh took 705 regular season plate appearances this season and he caught 121 games. The workload was immense and the Mariners would be well-served to get him more time at designated hitter next season in an effort to save his legs.

How do the M's get that World Series?

That's what the offseason is for, and the Mariners have a lot of work to do. It starts with figuring out a way to bring back Josh Naylor, Eugenio Suarez and Jorge Polanco - or figuring out a way to replace their production in the lineup.

Free agency begins after the World Series ends.

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