Seattle, Washington – The atmosphere at Seattle Mariners headquarters is heating up by the hour. After a turbulent but explosive 2025 season, the Northwest team is back in the news when CEO Jerry Dipoto revealed: “We are willing to do the unthinkable to keep Josh Naylor in Seattle.” The statement was short, but it was enough to ignite a wave of discussion in the baseball world.
When the Mariners acquired Josh Naylor from the Guardians at the start of the 2025 season, not many expected him to become the “soul” of the team in just a few months. But Naylor did it – with his powerful swing, his tenacity in every at-bat, and his never-say-die attitude.
He finished the season with 33 home runs, 97 RBIs, and a .284 batting average – numbers that would make any other team jealous. But for the Mariners, what makes Naylor special is more than just the statistics.
“He brings a different energy. When Naylor smiles, the dugout smiles. When he screams after a home run, the whole stadium explodes,” said coach Scott Servais. “He’s not just a great hitter, he’s the heart of this team.”
According to FanRecap, the Mariners are considering a six-year contract worth more than $140 million for Naylor – a figure never seen before in the team’s history. Dipoto, who is known for being pragmatic and cautious in his dealings, is going to break the bank this time.
“We know Naylor’s value is more than just numbers,” Dipoto said in a recent interview. “He represents the fighting spirit of Seattle – and if we have to take a risk to keep that, we’re willing to take a risk.”
This isn’t just a trade, it’s a statement: The Mariners want to win now. With a roster that’s in its prime – Julio Rodríguez, Cal Raleigh, Logan Gilbert – keeping Naylor means keeping the core they believe can take Seattle back to the World Series.
However, keeping Naylor won’t be easy. MLB Insider Ken Rosenthal reports that at least three teams, including the Red Sox, Cubs and Giants, have all contacted his representatives.
One anonymous source even asserted: “Naylor will be the most sought-after player in free agency this winter. He’s both a top performer and a leader. Seattle has the advantage, but they can’t afford to be slow.”
That’s why the Mariners are racing against time. With each passing day, Naylor’s value could increase by millions of dollars. And Dipoto knows that if he slips away, it’s not just a player – it’s a loss of the faith of an entire city that’s hungry for victory.
Since arriving at T-Mobile Park, Josh Naylor has quickly won the hearts of Mariners fans. The image of him smiling brightly after hitting his 30th home run this season has become a viral icon on social media.
On the X (Twitter) platform, a fan shared: “We had Griffey, Edgar, Ichiro… and now Naylor. He brings baseball back to life in Seattle.”
Naylor is not just limited to the ballpark, but is also actively involved in community activities – especially the “Baseball for Kids Seattle” campaign, where he sponsors equipment and coaches baseball-loving kids in the area. “I want kids to see that, from anywhere, if you have passion and discipline, you can play baseball in MLB,” Naylor once said.
If the Mariners complete the deal, it will be the most expensive in team history – surpassing Robinson Canó’s $120 million deal in 2014. But this time, fans believe the investment is worth it.
Because Naylor is not just a great player. He is a new symbol – representing the spirit of not giving up, the belief that Seattle can return to the top after two decades of waiting.
When asked about the future, Naylor just smiled: “Seattle gave me a second chance in my career. I want to continue fighting here… if they want me.” A simple sentence, but made millions of Mariners fans cry.
If this contract is signed, it will not only be the Mariners’ “biggest deal” – but a commitment that Seattle is really back.
And Josh Naylor, once doubted, is now on the verge of becoming a new legend of the Northwest.
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