How many times in Major League Baseball have we seen a team make a run to the Championship Series, or even win a World Series, and, mid-celebration, cut salaries, trade stars, let free agents walk—owners opening up their empty wallets with flies buzzing out—despite making millions from the aforementioned playoff run?
First baseman Josh Naylor has signed a five-year contract to return to the Seattle Mariners, the team announced Monday, reuniting one of the best free agent bats available with the team that made re-signing him its top offseason priority.
The deal locks up Naylor through the 2030 season, includes a full no-trade clause and is worth $92.5 million with no deferrals, sources told ESPN.
The Seattle Mariners are not one of those dusty ass franchises.
Josh Naylor arrived in Seattle at the trade deadline like The Incredible Hulk being dropped out of a plane to destroy a city.
In 54 games, 58 hits, 32 runs, 9 homers and 33 RBIs.
In the postseason, Naylor batted .340 with a .967 OPS and 3 homers.
He brought an urgency and electricity to a Seattle offense prone to getting sleepy and comfy. Josh Naylor has no chill.
And now the 28-year-old first baseman has been rewarded with a 5-year deal with a no-trade clause.
I’m sure Mariners fans won’t be screaming about that no-trade clause 3-4 years from now when Naylor refuses to be sent to Kansas City.
What’s next for the Seattle Mariners?
Let’s quickly run through 3 moves the Seattle Mariners need to make this offseason if they are for real about a championship.
1. Re-Sign Jorge Polanco
I know Jorge Polanco is old enough to have several financially devastating divorces, debuting in 2014—but when you have a guy who can hit two home runs off Tarik Skubal in a playoff game, you lock him to a radiator—freeing him only after he signs a new deal to run it back with the Mariners next season.
32 is the new 22. Aaron Judge is 33, fresh off another MVP trophy.
Norman Powell is 32, averaging a career-high 25 points per game right now in Miami.
Jorge Polanco has more clutch within him—the type of player you need for a World Series run.
2. Trade for Ketel Marte
I’m coming home, I’m coming home, tell the world that I’m coming home. Ketel Marte made his MLB debut in 2015, 21 years old.
In 2017, traded to Arizona for Jean Segura. Since leaving Seattle, Ketel’s made 3 All-Star teams with 2 seasons finishing in the Top 5 in MVP votes.
If the Seattle Mariners want to win a championship, they need more romantic storylines to motivate themselves—Ketel Marte returning to Washington, saving their weak ass infield—propelling them to the Promised Land.
3. Trade for Tarik Skubal
The Detroit Tigers and Pittsburgh Pirates can pretend as if Tarik Skubal and Paul Skenes are untouchable superstars these cheap owners cannot wait to pay over $600 million over the next decade
Trade every prospect for the AL Cy Young winner.
This Josh Naylor signing is the first domino to fall. The Mariners have a big splash in them. (I hope)
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