Mariners' $92.5 million Josh Naylor contract was offseason 'mistake'

The Seattle Mariners have slim postseason odds. 

At 67-78 and 6.5 games behind the Cleveland Guardians in the Wild Card standings, the odds are not in their favor. 

Last season, the AL West club made it all the way to Game 7 of the ALCS, falling short to the Toronto Blue Jays. 

But this year's version of the Mariners has not had the same firepower on either side of the ball. 

The lackluster play of first baseman Josh Naylor is a significant reason why. 

"The other major offseason move the Mariners made was re-signing Josh Naylor to a five-year, $92.5 million deal. What stood out about this contract was not only that it made a lot of financial sense, but also that the Mariners got a deal done before any other major free agent was signed," FanSided's Zachary Rotman wrote.

"They were so quick to double down on Naylor after he provided a spark for them in 2025, but it just hasn't worked out so far." 

In 135 games this season, Naylor has slashed .267/.325/.362 with 10 home runs and 49 RBIs. 

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That's a far cry from his best season with the Cleveland Guardians, when he hit 31 homers and drove in 108 runs just two seasons ago. 

Obviously, Seattle's front office was hoping for more offensive firepower from the former All-Star. 

But it just hasn't happened, and time is running out for both the Mariners and Naylor to change the trajectory of the disappointing season. 

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