"If there was an award for free agent prediction most to likely come true, Naylor returning to the Seattle Mariners would have been the front-runner, so it's hardly a surprise that this is the first significant signing of the offseason (pending a physical). As soon as the Mariners' season ended with that heartbreaking loss in Game 7 of the ALCS, the front office made it clear that re-signing Naylor was its top priority. Such public vocalizations at that level are rare -- and the Mariners backed them up with a five-year contract."
"It's easy to understand why they wanted Naylor back. The Mariners have been searching for a long-term solution at first base for, oh, going on 20 years -- really, since they traded John Olerud in 2004. Ty France gave them a couple solid seasons in 2021 and 2022, but since 2005 only Pirates first basemen have produced a lower OPS than Seattle's."
"Naylor, meanwhile, came over at the trade deadline from Arizona and provided a huge spark down the stretch, hitting .299/.341/.490 with nine home runs and 33 RBIs in 54"
The Seattle Mariners signed Naylor to a five-year contract, prioritizing his return following their Game 7 ALCS loss and pending a physical. The front office publicly emphasized re-signing Naylor and then committed to the long-term deal. Seattle has lacked a long-term first-base solution since trading John Olerud in 2004, with only Pirates first basemen producing a lower OPS than Seattle's since 2005. Ty France produced solid seasons in 2021 and 2022. Naylor joined via a trade deadline move from Arizona and hit .299/.341/.490 with nine home runs and 33 RBIs late in the season.
Read at ESPN.com
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