The Seattle Mariners have officially exercised their club option on closer Andres Munoz, securing him for the 2026 season with a contract valued at $7 million. This decision, reported by The Seattle Times, underscores the team’s commitment to retaining one of the top closers in Major League Baseball.
In the past two seasons, Munoz has established himself as a formidable presence on the mound. He has recorded a total of 60 saves and boasts an impressive 1.92 ERA, while holding opposing batters to a mere .160 batting average. During the recently concluded season, Munoz finished with a record of 3-3 and 38 saves, allowing only two home runs over 62 1/3 innings of work. His performance in the postseason was particularly noteworthy, as he contributed 8 1/3 scoreless innings to help the Mariners reach the decisive Game 7 of the American League Championship Series (ALCS).
Despite his stellar season, Munoz was not called upon in a critical moment during the ALCS. The Mariners held a 3-1 lead in the bottom of the seventh inning of Game 7 against the Toronto Blue Jays when two runners reached base with one out. Instead of bringing in Munoz, Manager Dan Wilson opted for Eduard Bazardo, who faced George Springer. Springer hit a three-run home run, which ultimately shifted the momentum of the game.
Munoz’s contract includes provisions for salary increases based on his performance. His base salary will see a $1 million increase if he finishes a certain number of games in the 2025 season. Additionally, the Mariners hold options for $8 million in 2027 and $10 million for 2028, with potential increases of up to $2 million based on games finished.
The right-handed pitcher initially signed a four-year, $7.5 million contract following the 2021 season, when he made a limited appearance after recovering from Tommy John surgery. Originally debuting with the San Diego Padres in 2019, Munoz quickly garnered attention for his fastball, which averaged 99.9 mph. Although he now throws at around 98 mph, he has increasingly relied on his slider, throwing it over 50% of the time in the 2025 season, which held batters to a striking .109 average.
An elbow injury in spring training of 2020 sidelined him, leading to his acquisition by the Mariners that August in a trade that included Ty France and two other players, in exchange for catcher Austin Nola and two relievers. Munoz has since developed into a key asset for the team, solidifying his role as a top closer in the league. The Mariners’ decision to retain him signals their intention to build around his talents as they strive for postseason success in the coming years.
