Mariners signing Josh Naylor chances get key update from ESPN's Jeff Passan

It didn't take long for Josh Naylor to endear himself to the Seattle Mariners' fanbase.

Something about a 5-foot-10, 235-pound first baseman taking off to steal second over and over again without getting caught is pretty lovable. 

It doesn't hurt that Naylor also hit the ball all over the yard plenty after his trade deadline acquisition from the Arizona Diamondbacks.

All that to say, the fans in Seattle would be quite bummed if Naylor now left in free agency.

The general consensus is that the Mariners won't let that happen, and ESPN insider Jeff Passan provided his own update on Tuesday. He said the Mariners' "perfect move" this offseason would be to bring Naylor back.

"Seattle found something very good in 2025, and while 60-homer seasons from catchers are black swan events, Cal Raleigh and Julio Rodriguez, plus the Mariners' rotation, is a tremendous foundation," Passan writes. "With holes at first, second and third base, Seattle enters the winter with something of a daunting to-do list. As much as they want to get the band back together, the Mariners' budget might not allow that. Which leaves them having to make a choice. And if that choice pits any of their players against one another, the choice is pretty clear: Sign free agent first baseman Josh Naylor."

MORE: The Dodgers have an $87 million free agency secret weapon

The Mariners also have Eugenio Suarez and Jorge Polanco now in free agency. Whether they can bring everyone back is a tougher proposition.

But it's Naylor, relative to those two, who has youth and recent productivity on his side.

The Mariners have infield options ascending quickly through their minor league system. They don't have another Naylor.

That's what makes it so key to get a contract done with him. If the Mariners do that, they can head into 2026 feeling good about their chances.

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