“His Market Will Be Robust” – MLB Analyst Believes Seattle Mariners Could Face Competition For Josh Naylor After Incredible Season
Josh Naylor (Image Credits: Imagn)
The Seattle Mariners were one of baseball’s biggest success stories in 2025, reaching the ALCS after a remarkable season filled with breakout performances. While Cal Raleigh led the charge with an AL MVP-caliber campaign, midseason addition Josh Naylor became one of the key pieces that pushed Seattle within touching distance of the World Series.
Now a free agent, Naylor’s breakout performance has made him one of the most exciting bats on the market, and according to several MLB analysts, the Mariners might not be alone in trying to sign him.
On MLB Tonight: The Insiders, ESPN’s Jesse Rogers said Naylor’s late-season surge has boosted his stock significantly. “He’s got that winner label,” Rogers said.
“And what’s interesting to me is maybe some of the second-tier Spenders are getting involved in some hitters like a Josh Naylor. It could be the Reds [Sox]. I’ve heard rumors that the [Pittsburgh] Pirates might spend on a hitter or two, and Naylor kind of fits those profiles as well as the contending team, so I think he did himself a huge favor in the second half of that season, and I think his Market will be robust.”
“He Is A Lunatic On The Field” – MLB Analyst Heaps High Praise For Josh Naylor
Josh Naylor (Image Credits: Imagn)
Anthony Castrovince also echoed the same sentiment and praised Naylor’s intensity and all-around ability.
“He’s a lunatic on the field,” Castrovince said. “He leaves nothing to the imagination in terms of his intensity. I don’t think 30 steals a year is going to be Josh Naylor’s new floor, but I do think that spoke about his instincts and intelligence on the field. I like this player a lot.”
Naylor joined the Mariners at the end of July in a trade from the Arizona Diamondbacks, and he wasted no time making an impact. The 28-year-old first baseman instantly became a fan favorite with his clutch hitting and defensive play. In the regular season, Naylor hit .295 with 20 home runs, 92 RBIs, and an .816 OPS, proving to be one of the best trade deadline pickups of the year.
His strong play carried into the postseason, where he delivered an outstanding postseason. In 12 playoff games, Naylor slashed .340/.392/.574 with three home runs and five RBIs, helping the Mariners reach their first ALCS since 2001 before falling heartbreakingly to the Toronto Blue Jays.
According to ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel, Naylor is projected to receive a contract worth around three years and $52.5 million this offseason, a number that several teams would likely be willing to match. However, reports indicate that the Mariners plan to make a serious effort to keep him, given how well he fits both on the field and in the clubhouse.
The post “His Market Will Be Robust” – MLB Analyst Believes Seattle Mariners Could Face Competition For Josh Naylor After Incredible Season originally published on Total Pro Sports.
