The Seattle Mariners have reportedly made the first big move of the MLB offseason.
According to ESPN's MLB insider Jeff Passan, Seattle and first baseman Josh Naylor are in agreement on a five-year deal that will keep Naylor in Seattle for the foreseeable future. Seattle acquired Naylor at last season's MLB trade deadline, and he was an instrumental part of its run to the American League Championship Series.
Naylor thrived with the Mariners in the second half of last season, slashing.299/.341/.490 with nine home runs, 33 RBI and a.831 OPS. His postseason numbers were even better, as that slash line was.340/.392/.574 with a.967 OPS.
The lockdown of Naylor at first base is an extremely important move for a Seattle team that currently has all the pieces in place to make another deep postseason run. Naylor, Julio Rodriguez, Cal Raleigh and the starting pitching for the Mariners are an excellent combination to have.
It will be intriguing to see if Seattle decides to pursue its other major trade deadline acquisition, Eugenio Suarez and attempt to run it back with what would basically be the same lineup and pitching rotation as last season.
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