Seattle Mariners Secure Randy Arozarena with Million-Dollar Deal
The Seattle Mariners have reached a one-season contract agreement with Cuban outfielder Randy Arozarena for the 2026 campaign, thus avoiding the salary arbitration process, the organization announced Thursday night.
The agreement, valued at $15.65 million, allows both parties to close ranks before the arbitration deadline. In addition to Arozarena, Seattle also reached agreements with other eligible players, including pitchers Matt Brash, Logan Gilbert and George Kirby, left-hander Gabe Speier and utility player Luke Raley.
Arozarena, acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays before the 2024 Trade Deadline, had a significant impact in 2025. In 160 games, the outfielder recorded an offensive line of .238/.334/.426, with 27 home runs, the most of his career, and 31 stolen bases.
The Cuban player contributed a WAR of 4.0, the second-best mark of his career in Major League Baseball, and an OPS+ of 119, surpassing the league’s offensive average by 19%. His performance earned him his second All-Star Game selection.
In the postseason, Arozarena batted .188, with a home run in 12 games, while Seattle was one win away from advancing to the World Series. Despite this, he led all players with five stolen bases in that instance.
The player, originally from Havana and who will turn 31 in February, was in his final year of eligibility for salary arbitration and, if he doesn’t sign an extension, is scheduled to become a free agent at the end of the 2026 season.
