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SEATTLE, Wash. -- The Seattle Mariners officially signed superstar catcher Cal Raleigh to a new six-year contract on Wednesday. The deal, which was reported to be close on Tuesday, buys out the three years of arbitration and three free agent years.
Raleigh's deal is worth $105 million guaranteed and keeps him in Seattle through 2030. There's also a vesting option that could add a seventh year and take the deal into the $120 million range.
As the deal was announced on Wednesday, Raleigh had a statement in a team-issued press release that is sure to get fans to run through a wall:
“This place has always felt like home since I arrived here in Seattle. They took me in from day one with kindness and respect and it is one of the top places to play in professional sports,” Cal Raleigh said. “I wanted to stay here because of the connection with the people of the Pacific Northwest and the Seattle Mariners, but I know it doesn’t always work out the way you want it to. I feel blessed that the Mariners gave me this opportunity and I can’t think of a better place in MLB to call home. We have a great nucleus of players here and aren’t far off from bringing the World Series to Seattle. It won’t be easy but I believe ownership and management share the same vision and commitment. I won’t stop working and I won’t stop grinding until this city gets what it deserves, and that is a perennial playoff team and a World Series Championship.”
Built for Seattle. Staying in Seattle.
— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) March 27, 2025
We’ve signed Cal Raleigh to a six-year contract extension through 2030, with a vesting player option for 2031. #TridentsUp
https://t.co/CaGU58y2U5 pic.twitter.com/9gbrtfWtxc
For a fan base that has never experienced even getting to the World Series, that's exactly what they want to hear.
Raleigh put together an incredible year in 2024, leading the M's with 34 homers and driving in 100 runs. He also excelled defensively, sheparding the best starting staff in baseball and winning the Gold and Platinum Glove Awards.
The Mariners will open the regular season on Thursday night against the Athletics at T-Mobile Park. First pitch is set for 7:10 p.m. PT. Raleigh is expected to catch and bat third, and he is assured to receive an extremely loud ovation from the crowd.
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