I want to make this clear: I am not speaking for specific members of the Seattle Mariners organization, I am only speaking for myself.

The Josh Naylor signing has finally allowed me to move on from the dramatic and crushing loss in Game 7 of the American League Championship Series.

For the past month, I've been appreciative of what the Mariners did in 2025, but it's come with a tinge of disappointment that the M's fell just short of reaching the World Series. And with that thought came the inevitable doubts of "Can they get back?" "What if someone regresses in 2026?" What about the possibility of injury? What if they lose Naylor, Polanco and Suarez in free agency? What if the other teams get better?

There may have been some members of the organization feeling the same way. I don't know it for sure, but I'd imagine some version of doubt about the future exists somewhere within everyone. 

For anyone feeling the same way as me? The Naylor signing represents a closing of wounds. Not forever, I'm sure, but for now, and now is what we have. I'm ready to think about 2026 instead of lamenting the end of 2025. It's now easier to see the Mariners getting back to the American League Championship Series - and beyond - than it was just a few days ago.

And while hope is not a strategy, it is still a powerful drug. That's what the signing of Josh Naylor has done.

What else I'm saying

I talked plenty about the Naylor signing on the latest edition of the 'Refuse to Lose' podcast, covering every angle of the move:

But also, and I think right up there in terms of importance, this move sends a definitive message to the Mariners fans, and it sends a definitive message to your clubhouse, and it sends a definitive message to other free agents and other agents around the sport. Messaging matters.

And the Mariners nailed it with this move.

You can listen to the full episode in the podcast player below:

Josh Naylor is a Mariner And That's All You Need to Know Refuse to Lose - a Seattle Mariners Podcast · Episode

Up next

MLB.com notes that the Mariners and Naylor will hold a press conference on Tuesday morning. Beyond that, details are scarce.

--On a separate but related note, the deadline to protect players from the Rule-5 Draft is Tuesday afternoon at 1 p.m. PT. The Mariners have six players in their Top-30 prospects up for protection, but they have no roster spots available on the 40-man at the time of this posting.

Related Mariners Stories

LATEST PODCAST IS OUT: Brady Farkas is back for the the latest episode of the Refuse to Lose podcast! He covers the Josh Naylor news from every angle including the message it sends to the clubhouse and fanbase. Also, what's next for Seattle? LISTEN HERE:

DON'T YA KNOW: Former Mariners infielder Robinson Cano played his final game in the United States on Saturday in an emotional sendoff. CLICK HERE: 

RUNNING IT BACK? If the Mariners are going to 'run it back' in 2026, let's hope it's for the right reasons. CLICK HERE: 

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