SEATTLE – Amidst waves of rumors about a shocking offseason trade, Josh Naylor – the unsung hero of the Seattle Mariners in the 2025 season – finally spoke. In the heavy atmosphere at T-Mobile Park, he did not dodge, did not justify, just spoke slowly, his voice hoarse:
“I don’t know where I’ll be next season. But no matter where I play, my heart is still with the Mariners… and in this city.”
Just days after the Mariners’ disappointing ALCS exit, multiple inside sources revealed that the team is considering trading Josh Naylor – aiming to restructure the roster and create salary space for the 2026 season.
With a four-year, $56 million contract about to enter its second year, Naylor has become the hottest name of the winter transfer window.
That shocked Seattle fans. Because throughout the 2025 season, Naylor was an indispensable piece – 32 home runs, 102 RBIs, an OPS of .875, and above all, a fighting spirit in every game.
“He’s not a generous star. But he’s the fire this locker room needs,” said coach Scott Servais.
Josh Naylor didn’t come to Seattle with big expectations. He was just seen as an additional piece, a force with a strong personality. But he quickly became an icon – the one who screamed every time his teammates scored, ready and willing to defend his team.
At T-Mobile Park, Naylor’s every swing carried a message: “I fear no one.”
He wasn’t a perfect player, but he brought something Seattle craved – fire, honesty, and an unconditional love for the jersey.
“I love the way you love baseball. In Seattle, I learned that the fans don’t need perfection, they need real time. And I gave them that, every day,” Naylor said in an emotional postseason conference call.
The Athletic reports that the Mariners are in talks with three teams about trading Naylor, including the Toronto Blue Jays – where he and his brother Bo Naylor once dreamed of playing.
But for Seattle, it’s not just a trade.
In a city still reeling from the loss of Félix Hernández, Kyle Seager, Robbie Ray, the loss of another iconic figure like Naylor is a deep cut in the hearts of fans.
After the news broke, Naylor posted a short message on his personal page:
“Nobody knows what tomorrow will bring, but I am grateful for every moment I get to spend wearing a Mariners jersey. Wherever I am, I will fight like Seattle is watching.”
The photo was shared more than 200,000 times overnight, with thousands of comments pleading with the team to “not let Naylor go.”
When asked what touched him most about the season, Naylor simply smiled sadly:
“When I saw the kid in the stands wearing a No. 22 jersey with the words ‘Naylor Never Quits’ on it. I thought, if that’s the only thing I’m coming back to Seattle for, that’s enough.”
While the future remains uncertain, one thing is certain: Josh Naylor has embedded himself in the Mariners’ spirit – a warrior who will not be broken, who will not be forgotten.
And if he does leave this winter, Seattle fans will remember the moment he first stepped off the field, put his hand on the puddle and said softly:
“Seattle is not just where I play. It is where my heart is.”
Leave a Reply