The news immediately sent shockwaves through Mariners fans. Raleigh, 27, finished the 2025 season with 60 home runs and 125 RBIs, surpassing Salvador Pérez for the most home runs in a season by a catcher.
According to an inside source: “The Mariners know that keeping Raleigh is key to building a long-term competitive team. He’s not just a star, he’s the soul of the locker room.”
The new contract will take effect in the 2025 season and run through 2030, with a player option for the 2031 season worth $20 million.
The salary is set to increase: $1 million in the first year, $11 million in the second year, and $23 million each year from 2028 to 2030. This deal makes Raleigh one of the catchers with the largest contract in MLB history.
However, the decision to spend $105 million to retain Raleigh has also caused much controversy. Some experts commented: “The Mariners have made a big investment, but there are risks.
Although Raleigh is excellent, catchers are often under heavy physical pressure, and stars do not always maintain peak performance for 6 years.”
With this contract, the Mariners clearly show their ambition to build a roster around Raleigh — a “pillar” who can lead the locker room and carry the offensive power.
But the question remains: Does $105 million really guarantee the Mariners a strong return to the MLB map, or is it just a symbolic move to keep a star player until the transfer market opens up new opportunities?
Cal Raleigh sent a thank you to Mariners fans: “I’m happy to continue my journey with the Mariners. Last season was emotional, but I’m ready to fight and bring victory to this city.”
The Mariners are expected to announce details of the signing ceremony and press conference later this week, where Raleigh will appear before the public and fans.
With MLB 2025 about to enter the new season, this move promises to be a hot topic on sports news feeds: keep the star player or risk the financial risk? The Mariners have made their decision — but the outcome, as always in baseball, is still up in the air…
