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By Shaun McAvoy
Contributing Sports Writer
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After going all-in at the trade deadline this season and still falling to the Detroit Tigers in the ALDS, the Seattle Mariners have some personnel decisions to make this postseason.
The Mariners were extremely active at the trade deadline, making two separate trades with the Arizona Diamondbacks for third baseman Eugenio Suárez and Josh Naylor. Naylor, 28, was named an All-Star with the Cleveland Guardians last season, and Suárez was named an All-Star this year.
The dual sluggers helped push the Mariners forward to beat out the Houston Astros to win the American League West division, but the team still couldn't make a deep playoff run. Despite Seattle's efforts, the team may need to decide between the two new additions this offseason, with both set to become free agents.
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On Tuesday, ESPN's Jeff Passan compiled a list sharing the "perfect" offseason move for all MLB playoff teams, along with a few others. For the Mariners, Passan urged the team to reunite with Naylor.
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"The perfect transaction: Seattle found something very good in 2025, and while 60-homer seasons from catchers are black swan events, Cal Raleigh and Julio Rodriguez, plus the Mariners' rotation, are a tremendous foundation," Passan wrote. "With holes at first, second and third base, Seattle enters the winter with something of a daunting to-do list.
"As much as they want to get the band back together, the Mariners' budget might not allow that. Which leaves them having to make a choice. And if that choice pits any of their players against one another, the choice is pretty clear. Sign free agent first baseman Josh Naylor."
Naylor offers the Mariners a younger option who's more reliable at the plate than Suárez. The 34-year-old slugger tied his career-high of 49 home runs this season, but Naylor is the more complete batter who has power and consistently gets hits.
Fans quickly came to love Naylor despite his limited time with the Mariners, but if the team is looking for a long-term solution, reuniting with Naylor would be its best option.
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