What’s Next: How Josh Naylor's New Deal Affects the Mariners, Free Agent Market

Bringing back Josh Naylor had to be the Mariners’ top priority this winter. Credit them for wasting no time in getting it done with a five-year deal for a reported $92.5 million that represented the first major splash of MLB’s free agency.

Mariners general manager Justin Hollander described Naylor to me in October as one of the smartest players he has ever had. Naylor’s perfect 19-for-19 mark on stolen bases in Seattle was an example of that. Despite being one of MLB's slowest players, Naylor enjoyed a 20-30 season despite having never stolen more than 10 bases in a season — a credit to his baseball IQ. 

It was one thing for Naylor to excel in Arizona, where he hit 23% better than league average before his trade deadline arrival; it was another for him to be an even greater offensive force in a much tougher hitting environment in Seattle. Naylor hit 38% better than league average with nine homers and 19 steals in 54 games to close out the regular season with the Mariners. He then showed he was up for the challenge in October, leading the team with a .340 batting average and hitting three home runs on their way to the AL West title and their first ALCS appearance since 2001.

Here's what's next after Naylor's new deal:

What's Next for Seattle

 (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)

There’s a reason the Mariners acquired both Naylor and Eugenio Suarez at the deadline. They needed more pop at both corner infield spots, and Suárez is now a free agent. So is Jorge Polanco, meaning half of Seattle’s infield is still vacant even after re-signing Naylor. The Mariners have options to fill Polanco’s spot in Cole Young and Ryan Bliss, but neither can slug like Polanco. If they want to finish the job in 2025, they’re going to need