BREAKING: Mariners Fans Receives Stunning News On Cal Raleigh
Opening Day may still be days away, but Seattle Mariners fans already have a major reason to celebrate 2025 as a milestone year for the franchise: it will always be remembered as the year Cal Raleigh got the contract he deserved.
According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the Mariners are finalizing a six-year, $105 million extension for the 28-year-old catcher, securing three of his free-agent seasons through 2030.
Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports that the deal includes a vesting option for 2031, potentially increasing its total value to $123 million. Passan also notes that Raleigh will earn $1 million this year, along with a $10 million signing bonus, before his salary climbs to $23 million annually between 2028 and 2030.
With this extension, the Mariners now have two key players locked in for the future—Raleigh joins star center fielder Julio Rodríguez, who signed a 12-year contract in 2022 on his way to winning AL Rookie of the Year.
For Seattle, this move salvages what had been a frustrating offseason. It may have taken a while for the front office to make a big splash, but committing to “Big Dumper” now feels like a game-saving moment worthy of Kazuhiro Sasaki.
The best catcher in baseball gets paid like it
It’s rare for a catcher to land a nine-figure contract, and Raleigh’s deal is just the fifth of its kind in MLB history, putting him in elite company alongside Buster Posey, Joe Mauer, J.T. Realmuto, and Will Smith.
Some might argue it’s a hefty price for a player who has never been named an All-Star, but that take would be misleading—despite being technically true. Over the past three seasons, Raleigh has performed at an All-Star level, leading all catchers with 91 home runs and ranking fourth with 12.0 WAR. His 2024 season further solidified his value, as he took home both Gold Glove and Platinum Glove honors.
For what it’s worth, the rest of the baseball world is finally catching up to what Mariners fans have known all along about Raleigh. His talent is being recognized more than ever—not just in passing, but as a legitimate acknowledgment of his place among MLB’s best.
Even now, Raleigh’s overall profile—a powerful switch-hitter with elite defensive skills—makes him an easy sell as a star. However, his peak may still be ahead. His sharp eye for challenging calls this spring could prove to be a major advantage once MLB fully implements the ABS challenge system.
What’s next for the Mariners?
If we may pat ourselves on the back, we predicted Raleigh’s extension back in November. However, the deal itself came together rather suddenly—according to The Seattle Times’ Ryan Divish, the two sides weren’t even in discussions as recently as March 17.
This raises the question: could more extensions be on the way? If so, logic suggests the next in line should be Raleigh’s close friend and battery mate, Logan Gilbert.
Gold Glove Winner Cal Raleigh has a nice ring to it 🏆 pic.twitter.com/XVBmzmMaQy
— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) November 4, 2024
The ace right-hander has expressed his desire to remain in Seattle, and recent contract projections for him seem reasonable—especially for a 27-year-old who led MLB with 208.2 innings and a 0.887 WHIP in 2024. With free agency looming after 2027, the Mariners don’t have unlimited time to lock him up.
The challenge? Extending Gilbert would require owner John Stanton to commit even more money. His track record on big spending isn’t exactly stellar, and even with a $24 million payroll increase for 2024, Seattle still sits in the middle of the pack among MLB teams.
Still, this moment offers more hope than before. It’s a great day for the Mariners. It’s a great day for Mariners fans. And above all, it’s a great day for Cal Raleigh.