SEATTLE — The Seattle Mariners are still feeling the disappointment of falling one game short of the World Series.

The Mariners lost 4-3 to the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 7 of the American League Championship Series on Oct. 20.

This year was the first time in its 48-year history the club was one win away from the World Series, but there was no solace in getting close.

The disappointment in coming one game shy has been felt and expressed by fans, players coaches and even the front office.

"It definitely leaves you feeling hollow," Seattle general manager Justin Hollander said in an interview Thursday. "Somewhere between where (Cal Raleigh) was at postgame after Game 7 and where (Giannis Antetokounmpo) was at a couple years ago where he talked about there's no failure in sports. I'll start to move along that spectrum the next few days and weeks. (Moving) from 'It feels very much like a failure,' to thinking about, big picture, where we are and the steps we took this year. But it's hard right now." 

Hollander and Mariners president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto both said they're still processing the emotions of the loss, and will take time before diving full-force into the offseason.

But one thing both front office executives acknowledged and discussed was a potential reunion with first baseman Josh Naylor.

Naylor was the first and best-performing player Seattle acquired around the trade deadline. The Mariners traded for him in a deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks on July 24, and he quickly became one of the main contributors on the team's playoff push.

In 54 games with Seattle, Naylor scored 32 runs and hit 10 doubles and nine home runs with 33 RBIs. He slashed .299/.341/.490 with an .831 OPS. He was a perfect 19-for-19 in stolen base attempts.

In the playoffs, Naylor scored seven times in 12 games and hit two doubles and three homers with five RBIs. He slashed .340/.392/.574 with a .966 OPS.

Dipoto and Hollander both mentioned Naylor as a priority for the Mariners in the offseason in respective interviews on Thursday, and Hollander raved about the impact Naylor had on the city and how much he took to the city and vice versa.

"He's kind of an easy person to spend time around," Hollander said. "I think his teammates really like him and everything I got from him was that he really liked it here. Was able to spend a few minutes with him after (Game 7 of the ALCS) and definitely a priority for us. He fits in great here. Just a really good person, easy person to like."

The last two months of the season, in which Seattle constantly played in front of a packed house and every home playoff game was a sellout, also sets the Mariners up with a favorable pitch for Naylor, who has become known for his competitive drive in his time in the majors.

"I remember when we traded for (Luis Castillo), I think his first home start was against the Yankees and it was a packed house. It was Gerrit Cole vs. Luis and I think nobody threw a pitch under, like, 1,000 miles an hour other than Paul Sewald in that game and it was a 13-inning war. (Castillo) said something after the game like, 'Wow. This is the place I want to be' and that was a moment in time, obviously. Josh just got two months plus a playoff what Seattle is like as a sports town. ... He's a really good dude and I really do think he liked it here a lot. Not just downstairs, teammates, coaches, hopefully Jerry and I, but I think the city, the environment, the region, I think it was a big positive for him. And that's what you want."

Dipoto said in his interview that he expects the team's payroll to be around where it ended in 2025. With the impending departures, likely declined options from players such as Mitch Garver (mutual option) and Jorge Polanco (player option), that would leave Seattle with roughly $30 million in spending money.

Naylor has a market value of three years, $45.3 million ($15.1 million AAV) per Spotrac, which would make him a financial fit with the club's expected spending power.

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