CLEVELAND, Ohio — The latest Cleveland Baseball Talk Podcast revealed former Guardians first baseman Josh Naylor is on the verge of securing a life-changing contract with Seattle, highlighting the dramatically different trajectories of the Naylor brothers’ baseball careers.
Paul Hoynes, cleveland.com Guardians beat reporter, explained Seattle’s determination to retain Naylor after their postseason run: “They’re talking about a five year deal somewhere between $20 to $25 million a year. And it sounds like it might be down to will he pass the physical when negotiations reach that stage, it’s all but done, you know.”
The contract, potentially worth $100-125 million, validates Seattle’s commitment to a player who transformed his game in 2025. While Naylor’s power numbers dipped slightly from his Cleveland days (20 homers compared to 31 the previous season), he became a more complete hitter, batting .295 with 30 stolen bases and a 128 OPS+.
“He had the big year In Cleveland in 2024, but this year he hits 295 and it looks like he really concentrated on making more contact,” Hoynes noted on the podcast.
Meanwhile, younger brother Bo Naylor continues his development in Cleveland, facing challenges that highlight the stark differences between the siblings’ careers. Unlike Josh, who found his groove as a first baseman and designated hitter, Bo shoulders the additional responsibilities of managing a pitching staff as the Guardians’ catcher.
