The Seattle Mariners and first baseman Josh Naylor appeared to be a perfect match.
From the moment Naylor joined the team at the July trade deadline, he emerged as one of their top performers, and during the playoffs, he proved to be their most reliable hitter. Everyone connected to the organization has praised him highly, and the team’s front-office leaders have made it clear they’d like to see him back next season.
Could a five-time All-Star first baseman be the one thing standing in the way of a Naylor-Mariners reunion?
On Monday, The Athletic insider Jim Bowden listed the Mariners as one of the possible landing spots for first baseman Pete Alonso, whom he projected to receive a five-year, $160 million deal.
“The Mets were not willing to give him a long-term contract last offseason, and if they don’t change their tune this time around, they’ll probably lose him,” Bowden wrote.
“Alonso has belted 37 or more homers in each of the last five seasons and although he’s a below-average defender at first base, he works at it and he’s durable, having played all 162 games in each of the past two seasons.”
Along with the Mets and Mariners, Bowden also identified the Boston Red Sox, Philadelphia Phillies, and Texas Rangers as possible destinations for Alonso.
Offensively, Alonso’s track record far surpasses Naylor’s. Over his career, he’s launched 264 home runs compared to Naylor’s 104—despite playing 263 fewer games—and has recorded more than 100 RBIs in four different seasons, including the most recent one.
That kind of production will likely come at a much higher price, though. Alonso could command nearly twice the annual salary that Naylor earns. And while the Mariners should have some financial flexibility this offseason, signing Alonso at Bowden’s projected cost would consume nearly all of it.
A power hitter like Alonso might have been a perfect fit for Seattle before Cal Raleigh’s remarkable power surge. Now, his addition could be somewhat redundant in the lineup—though few teams would turn down the chance to add a player capable of hitting 40 home runs a year.
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