Josh Naylor’s Impactful Series Sparks $92.5M Deal, Altering Mariners’ Trajectory
The ebb and flow of a 162-game season often hinges on pivotal moments, and for the Seattle Mariners, a recent sweep by the Arizona Diamondbacks served as a stark low point. Following that series in early June, the Mariners found themselves in a precarious position, sitting at 33-34 — their last taste of a losing record for the season. However, it seems that Josh Naylor, then with the Diamondbacks, left an indelible mark during that series, potentially steering the Mariners toward a more promising future.
A Turning Point in Seattle’s Season
Earlier this week, Mariners general manager Justin Hollander appeared on Seattle Sports’ “Brock and Salk” to recount how the Mariners’ pursuit of Naylor and third baseman Eugenio Suárez was influenced by that fateful series. Hollander reflected on the difficulties presented by the Diamondbacks, stating, “It was just a challenging series for us, and they were a challenging team to figure out because they’re a good team that had injuries. So I didn’t want to be disrespectful to their season in any way, but just kept checking in with (Diamondbacks assistant GM Amiel Sawdaye) over and over and over again about potentially Geno’s availability and Josh’s availability.”
The emotional landscape of that series played a crucial role as the Mariners began to consider opportunities for roster improvements. “They reached a point in their season where they felt like it was time to at least listen. They called us, we exchanged proposals over the course of a couple of weeks. Finally, he called me just kind of out of the blue. We hadn’t talked in four or five days and (they) said, ‘Would you do this?’ And my gut was we would,” Hollander recounted.
Naylor’s Stellar Performance
The series in question showcased Naylor at his best. He erupted against Mariners pitching, finishing with an impressive 8-for-13 line, highlighted by a home run, two doubles, and six RBIs. His offensive explosion not only helped the Diamondbacks sweep Seattle but also perhaps caught the eye of the Mariners’ front office. In contrast, Suárez struggled early in the series, going 0-for-9 in the first two games. However, he turned things around in the finale, contributing three hits, including a home run, and driving in four runs.
While Suárez’s future with the Mariners remains uncertain as he enters free agency — his age and declining performance casting doubt on a return — Naylor’s recent five-year, $92.5 million contract solidifies his place in Seattle’s long-term plans.
A Shift in Fortunes
The ripple effects of that June series cannot be understated. What began as a demoralizing sweep transformed into a foundational moment for the Mariners. Naylor’s signing offers a sense of hope, as the team looks to build on this momentum heading into the next season. His explosive performance, coupled with the strategic thinking of the Mariners’ management, has set the stage for a potentially brighter future in Seattle.
As the Mariners navigate the offseason, the lessons learned from that pivotal series against the Diamondbacks will linger, reminding them of the thin line between adversity and opportunity in the world of baseball.
