Mariners Announce Randy Arozarena News on Thursday

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Gavin Groe | Last updated Jan 8, 2026 9:15 PM ET

The Seattle Mariners are heading into the 2026 MLB season with momentum after last year’s deep playoff run.

Although the team fell just one win short of reaching the World Series, Seattle returns much of the same core that fueled its success, including outfielder Randy Arozarena.

The 30-year-old right-handed slugger is entering his final year of team control before becoming an unrestricted free agent.

In 2025, Arozarena posted a .238 batting average, .334 on-base percentage and .760 OPS with 27 home runs and 76 RBIs across 160 games.

His performance earned him an All-Star selection, and he will look to replicate that production in 2026 as he positions himself for a lucrative long-term contract.

Seattle Mariners left fielder Randy Arozarena (56)© Dennis Lee-Imagn Images

As the Mariners prepared for the 2026 season, Arozarena’s contract situation briefly lingered unresolved, with the two sides unable to agree on a new one-year deal ahead of the deadline.

On Thursday, however, Seattle announced agreements with several players under team control, and Arozarena was among them.

According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the outfielder’s contract for 2026 is valued at $15.65 million, locking in his salary for what will be his final season before free agency.

The @Mariners have agreed to terms with six arbitration eligible players:

Randy Arozarena, OF
Matt Brash, RHP
Logan Gilbert, RHP
George Kirby, RHP
Luke Raley, INF/OF
Gabe Speier, LHP

https://t.co/IaiUWeVsi4 pic.twitter.com/xk5FravHQs
— Mariners PR (@MarinersPR) January 9, 2026

By securing Arozarena on a one-year contract, the Mariners avoided the uncertainty of arbitration and kept one of their most important bats in place. Still, the short-term nature of the deal raises the question of whether Seattle will commit to him beyond 2026 or allow him to test free agency.

His track record suggests he would be difficult to replace. Arozarena has already built an impressive body of work across seven MLB seasons, highlighted by winning the 2021 American League Rookie of the Year, earning two All-Star selections and establishing himself as a proven postseason performer.

He debuted with the Tampa Bay Rays before being traded to the Mariners in a deal that cost Seattle a notable prospect package, so keeping him long term would ensure that investment is not wasted.

For now, the focus remains on what Arozarena can deliver in 2026 as a veteran presence alongside Julio Rodriguez in the outfield.

With his contract situation settled, his attention will first turn to the World Baseball Classic, where he is set to represent Team Mexico before the start of the MLB season.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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