If you haven’t heard yet, the Seattle Mariners extended Cal Raleigh’s contract on Tuesday—a well-earned deal for the catcher. While it’s not as large or complex as Julio Rodríguez’s contract, it does show the front office’s commitment to securing the team’s core.
The Houston Astros took a similar approach, building a long-term contender around homegrown stars like Carlos Correa, Jose Altuve, and Alex Bregman. With two key players now locked in for the remainder of the decade, which other Mariners should the team prioritize keeping?
Before diving into specific names, it’s important to consider why contract extensions benefit both players and teams. For players, they provide financial security, eliminate the stress of arbitration and free agency, and protect against the risk of underperformance in a contract year.
For teams, locking in talent early can prevent skyrocketing costs down the line. If a player reaches superstar status right before free agency, their asking price could become unaffordable. Juan Soto, for example, turned down a massive extension from the Nationals in 2022, only to sign an even bigger, record-setting deal two years later.
Who are the Mariners’ top extension candidates?
A logical starting point is the pitching rotation, led by Logan Gilbert. In a recent conversation with Seattle Sports, Gilbert expressed interest in staying with the team but noted that it “has to be the right situation.” He’s set to become a free agent after 2027 and has already secured a $7.63 million salary for 2025 to avoid arbitration. If he delivers another strong season, his market value will rise significantly.
While keeping Gilbert long-term would be ideal, Seattle has an abundance of pitching talent, which could make him more valuable as a trade asset. With four other standout arms in the rotation, the team may question just how essential he is to their plans.
Additionally, given the high rate of pitcher injuries in today’s game, the Mariners—who tend to be fiscally conservative—may hesitate to commit to a long-term contract for him. The team’s maximum offer might not match what Gilbert wants or what other teams could provide in free agency.
If not a pitcher, could an extension go to a position player?
Seattle appears more willing to take risks on hitters, as evidenced by Rodríguez’s contract before he had even played a full MLB season. The Mariners haven’t been known for their offense in recent years, but their lineup improved late last season thanks to some key trade acquisitions.
Two names stand out as possible extension candidates: Victor Robles and Randy Arozarena.
Arozarena, who becomes a free agent after 2026, is already 30 years old, meaning his peak years are limited. By the time he reaches free agency, he’ll be 32, putting him in a similar position to Teoscar Hernández, who signed a modest three-year deal with the Dodgers this offseason. Given that, it may make more sense for Seattle to keep Arozarena through his current contract and then either let him walk or explore trade options.
Robles, however, is just a few weeks younger than Raleigh and is currently on a very team-friendly contract. His most recent extension with Seattle guarantees him just under $10 million over the next two seasons. If he continues performing as well as he did last year, another extension could provide more value than simply picking up his $9 million team option in 2027 and letting him hit free agency.
Otherwise, the Mariners’ next major extension might go to a prospect who has yet to debut. With a strong farm system, it’s possible that players like Cole Young, Colt Emerson, or Lazaro Montes could develop into extension-worthy stars once they reach the big leagues.
If none of the current big-league candidates receive long-term deals, the front office may be saving its money for a young player they believe in—just as they did with Rodríguez.
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