Mariners Ink Josh Naylor to 5-Year Deal

Report: Josh Naylor Re-Signs with Mariners

Naylor’s Offensive Profile

Naylor was traded to the Mariners at the deadline and immediately became a fan favorite, giving Seattle a much-needed spark in the lineup. In 54 games with the Mariners, Naylor slashed .299/.341/.490 with nine home runs, 28 RBI, and an .831 OPS. He also added 14 doubles, posted a 132 wRC+, and struck out in just 17.3% of his plate appearances while walking 6.1% of the time. His bat consistently played in the middle of the order, and he recorded 17 multi-hit games during that stretch, including a pair of three-hit performances in September as Seattle pushed for the postseason.

Naylor’s Defensive Profile

Naylor is also a very underrated defender. Across first base and occasional corner-outfield reps, he posted +3 Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) and +2 Outs Above Average (OAA).  His arm strength graded in the 69th percentile, and his first-base scooping ability was among the best in the league—he converted 94% of difficult throws into outs, well above the league average of 88%. Naylor also posted a +1.4 UZR, showing that his footwork and range are legitimate assets rather than afterthoughts. His defensive consistency made him one of Seattle’s most reliable two-way contributors down the stretch.

Baserunning

Naylor was also a perfect 19-for-19 in stolen-base attempts with the Mariners. He showcased elite baserunning instincts to go along with his offensive surge. His 100% success rate was one of the best in the league over that stretch. Naylor averaged a stolen base roughly once every three games. His sprint speed jumped to the 79th percentile, and he generated +2.4 baserunning runs (BsR) after the trade. For a mid-season acquisition, that is outstanding. His aggression on the bases consistently put pressure on opposing pitchers and created scoring opportunities, adding another dynamic element to Seattle’s lineup

Naylor’s Impact in Seattle

The Mariners made retaining Naylor a priority this offseason, and they got their man. From the power and speed that Naylor provides in their lineup, he is a perfect fit. Jerry Dipoto’s plan at the GM meetings this week was to keep the same core they had in 2025 intact, and so far, mission accomplished.