Mariners Secure Five-Year Contract with Josh Naylor: Source
Josh Naylor, a talented first baseman, has officially signed a five-year contract with the Seattle Mariners. This significant move marks the first major free-agent signing of the MLB offseason, as confirmed by a source. The contract is pending a physical, but financial details remain undisclosed.
Josh Naylor’s Performance with the Mariners
The 28-year-old Naylor joined the Mariners from the Arizona Diamondbacks during the trade deadline. He quickly became a crucial asset on the field, achieving impressive statistics in his 54 regular-season games with Seattle:
- Batting Average: .299
- Home Runs: 9
- RBIs: 33
- Stolen Bases: 19 out of 19
Naylor earned a reputation among fans for his energetic play, contributing significantly to the Mariners clinching their first AL West title since 2001.
Postseason Performance
In the postseason, Naylor showcased his skills further. He led the team with a .340 batting average, hitting three home runs across 12 playoff games. However, the Mariners fell short in their pursuit of a pennant after a competitive seven-game series against the Toronto Blue Jays.
Contract Insights and Future Impact
Naylor ranked 14th on The Athletic’s free-agent big board. Projections estimated his contract to be around four years for $92 million. Remarkably, his base running improved significantly during his time in Seattle, finishing with a 30-for-32 success rate in stolen bases for the season.
Despite his reputation as one of the league’s slower runners, Naylor’s strategic base running proved effective, aided by his timing and baseball intelligence. Interestingly, he provided a notable moment in Game 7 of the ALCS, being called out due to an unusual play.
Overall Contributions
Naylor’s batting statistics throughout his four full major league seasons are compelling:
- Batting Average: .275
- On-Base Percentage: .336
- Slugging Percentage: .464
- Average Home Runs: 25 per 150 games
- Average RBIs: 105 per 150 games
With Naylor now securing his position at first base for the next five years, the Mariners must strategize around the potential departure of Eugenio Suárez, another critical player acquired during the deadline. As the organization looks ahead, Naylor’s presence could prove pivotal in their ongoing quest for a World Series title.
