The Mariners made securing Josh Naylor their highest priority this offseason, promptly signing him to a five-year deal reportedly worth $92.5 million, marking the first significant move in MLB free agency. Mariners GM Justin Hollander praised Naylor as one of the smartest players in baseball, highlighting his perfect 19-for-19 stolen base record in Seattle despite being one of the slower players in the league. Naylor’s impressive baseball IQ contributed to a strong season where he produced a 20-30 performance without stealing more than 10 bases previously.
Before joining Seattle, Naylor was solid in Arizona, hitting 23% better than the league average, but he elevated his game even more in Seattle’s challenging hitting environment. In 54 games with the Mariners, he hit nine home runs and stole 19 bases, excelling 38% above league average, and he led the team in October with a .340 batting average and three home runs during their push to the AL West title and an ALCS appearance—their first since 2001.
Seattle’s acquisition of both Naylor and Eugenio Suarez at the trade deadline was motivated by a need for more power at the corner infield positions; with Suarez currently a free agent and Jorge Polanco also a free agent, half the infield remains open. While Cole Young and Ryan Bliss are options, neither matches Polanco’s power, so further infield reinforcement is necessary for Seattle to contend seriously in 2025 and beyond. This new deal for Naylor is a strong starting point as the Mariners aim to build a championship-caliber roster.
Though Naylor’s stolen base surge was remarkable, it’s unlikely to continue at the same pace over the next five years. Still, the Mariners can count on his contact hitting and on-base skills. Despite some declines in bat speed and barrel rate that could hint at reduced future power, Naylor remains among MLB’s top first basemen in batting average (.295) and a low strikeout rate (13.7%) in 2025. If he keeps up this performance while playing solid defense at first base, his contract will be justified.
Naylor’s offensive profile offers the Mariners something they badly need—consistent contact and on-base ability—which complements his power, shown by 51 home runs over the past two years. His base-running skills and plate approach helped address Seattle’s contact and strikeout issues over recent seasons.
Regarding other free-agent first basemen, Naylor’s signing doesn’t notably affect Pete Alonso, who is seeking a long-term deal after missing out from the Mets last winter. The two players bring contrasting skill sets: Naylor, 28, excels in contact and base running, while Alonso, nearly 32, is a power-hitter with less defensive and base-running impact. Alonso and Cody Bellinger remain expected to command higher average annual values than Naylor. Seattle is set at first base, but many teams looking for upgrades can explore options from high-profile names like Alonso and Bellinger to others like Ryan O’Hearn, Luis Arraez, or international players Munetaka Murakami and Kazuma Okamoto.
Fan Take: This deal is a significant win for the Mariners, showcasing smart roster-building focused on versatile, high-IQ players rather than just raw power. For baseball fans, it highlights how modern teams value multifaceted skills and baseball intelligence, potentially setting a trend for balanced, strategic team constructions in the future.
