SEATTLE — The Seattle Mariners are coming off arguably the most successful season in franchise history in 2025.

The Mariners made it to Game 7 of the American League Championship Series — the first time the team has ever been one game away from the World Series.

Coming off the disappointment of being one game away from the first World Series in franchise history, there was a new kind of pressure on the front office. A pressure to make sure 2025 was the opening of a championship window and not a one-and-done opportunity.

The front office had to have a successful offseason. And the first move to guarantee that was bringing back first baseman Josh Naylor.

The Mariners acquired the 2024 All-Star in a trade with the Arizona Diamondbacks on July 24. Naylor was one of Seattle's best players in the final two months of the regular season and in the playoffs.

Team general manager Justin Hollander and president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto said bringing Naylor back was the top priority. On Monday, the club signed him to a five-year, $92.5 million contract ($18.5 million AAV). 

Naylor's deal, which includes a full no-trade clause and no deferments, will keep him in the Pacific Northwest through 2030.

Several of Seattle's foundational players, including catcher Cal Raleigh and center fielder Julio Rodriguez, who both finished in the top-six in American League MVP voting this year, are also signed through 2030.

The trio of Naylor, Rodriguez and Raleigh is among one of the best foundational trios in the American League, if not all of the majors. One of the biggest factors of success for any team is talent, and being able to sustain that talent over a period of time. The contract with Naylor guarantees that.

In addition to those three, the club also has all five starting pitchers, which includes four former All-Stars, under team control of the next several seasons and one of the best farm systems in baseball.

"It's awesome," Naylor said in a news conference Tuesday. "To be able to hit behind Julio and Cal for the next five years — it's pretty cool. Probably makes my job a little bit easier because you have to pitch to those two guys and if you don't, Julio has a chance to steal. Cal could also steal a base, too. And then you can make a mistake, it could be one-nothing, two-nothing right away. And then the pitching staff, God the pitching staff is like the best in baseball. It's incredible. I, as an opponent, I kind of hated getting ready to face those guys. A lot of studs."

There are still holes on the roster but first base was the biggest deficiency for the team. It was the only position where the Mariners didn't have an internal option with experience playing it.

"This team is just so complete," Naylor said. "There's always more to go, in my opinion. You could always get better. And I think me signing early like this helps that opportunity of (the front office) going for other players and possibly getting this team 1% better, let's call it. This team is crazy good."

Dipoto and Hollander were able to sign Naylor early in the offseason, which allows the team the flexibility to chase after options in free agency and the trade market that's still filled with potential everyday contributors.

"I think the benefit of having young players who are ready for a bigger opportunity, returning players who are in the primes of their careers, at star levels, this is as good as it's ever been for us in the time I've been here with the owners," Dipoto said after the news conference Tuesday. "We have a ton of talent. We have the right group of people, they believe in what we're doing organizationally. I think they connect with our fans. It's a really good group and it's something that we're proud of. We've talked about these things. We want another bat that we can add to that lineup and now we can be selective with where that bat fits. We can put a team on the field next year that we feel is one of the best in the American League today."

How the team does in 2026 largely depends on what Dipoto, Hollander and the rest of the organization does between now and when pitchers and catchers report to spring training February.

But one thing's for sure, Seattle has a legitimate championship window in front of it. And that's something the team hasn't had in a generation.

Now, it's just a matter of sealing the deal.

RELATED MARINERS STORIES

JOSH NAYLOR, MARINERS EXECUTIVES DISCUSS NEW CONTRACT: Justin Hollander, Jerry Dipoto and Naylor formally discussed the latter's five-year, $92.5 million contract that will keep the first baseman in Seattle through 2030. CLICK HERE

MARINERS ANNOUNCE DEAL WITH JOSH NAYLOR: The 2024 All-Star signed a five-year, $92.5 million contract that will extend through the 2030 season. CLICK HERE

HERE'S CURRENT STATE OF MARINERS LINEUP: The Mariners filled a big hole in their lineup by agreeing to a new deal with Naylor. CLICK HERE

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