Seattle Mariners’ New Era: A Promising Sign for the Future
The comfort of rooting for a baseball team like the New York Yankees or Philadelphia Phillies is that even when they putter out of the playoffs in humiliating fashion, as they did this season, fans can still grasp a general idea of what next year will look like. The baseball postseason is always a crapshoot, but this is what distinguishes a Cinderella run from a window of contention. A core is built for the next few years, ownership has the motivation to bolster that core with trades or free-agent signings, and fans have the luxury of declaring “GG go next.” However, for teams like the Seattle Mariners, the situation is different. After being eliminated in the ALCS by the Toronto Blue Jays, the Mariners were left in limbo, wondering what the future held.
Historically, the Mariners have had a penny-pinching ownership that has precluded the prospect of a future. However, following the team’s postseason elimination, Mariners chairman John Stanton went old-school with a full-page ad in the Seattle Times to declare that those days are over. “The Northwest deserves a World Series,” the message read. “I know we are going to get there. This is the beginning of a special era of Mariners Baseball. There is work to do to take that final step. That work starts now.” And, miracle of all miracles, Stanton seems to be putting his money where his mouth is. According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the Mariners have agreed to a five-year contract with first baseman Josh Naylor, pending a physical.
A Rare Long-Term Deal
Naylor, who was acquired by the Mariners at the trade deadline, had a remarkable season, slashing.299/.341/.490 with the team. He also stole 19 bases in 54 games, bringing his season total up to 30, despite being one of the slowest runners in baseball. The deal is a rarity, as Naylor is the first free-agent first baseman since Freddie Freeman to sign for more than four years. While the monetary value of the contract has yet to be confirmed, the fact that it exists is a significant indication of the Mariners’ commitment to building a competitive team. As Baseball-Reference notes, Naylor’s signing is a crucial step towards bolstering the team’s core of home-grown players.
The Mariners’ window is now, and the signing of Naylor is a promising sign for the future. Abysmal starting pitching and poor offensive depth were ultimately what killed the Mariners’ playoff run. However, with Naylor on board, the team can focus on addressing these issues. As Fangraphs notes, the Mariners have a strong core of players, and with the right additions, they can become a legitimate contender. While there is still work to be done, the signing of Naylor is a significant step in the right direction.
A New Era for the Mariners
The past two years have taught fans to be skeptical of the Mariners’ promises, but the team’s actions this offseason suggest a new era of commitment to winning. As Lookout Landing notes, the Mariners have a history of disappointing their fans, but the signing of Naylor is a reason to be optimistic. While it’s essential to approach the situation with a healthy dose of skepticism, the Mariners’ actions suggest that they are serious about building a competitive team. As the team looks to the future, fans can finally start to think about a World Series championship, and the signing of Naylor is a crucial step towards making that a reality.
