The Seattle Mariners have officially exercised their $7 million club option on closer Andres Munoz for the 2026 season, as reported by The Seattle Times on Tuesday. Munoz, a two-time All-Star, has emerged as one of the league’s premier closers over the past two seasons, achieving 60 saves while maintaining a remarkable 1.92 ERA and limiting opponents to a .160 batting average.
In the 2025 season, Munoz recorded a 3-3 win-loss record alongside 38 saves, allowing only two home runs across 62 1/3 innings pitched. His performance in the postseason was instrumental in the Mariners’ advancement to Game 7 of the American League Championship Series (ALCS), where he delivered 8 1/3 scoreless innings. However, in a pivotal moment during Game 7 against the Toronto Blue Jays, with the Mariners leading 3-1 in the seventh inning, manager Dan Wilson opted to bring in Eduard Bazardo instead of Munoz. Bazardo faced George Springer, who hit a decisive three-run home run, ultimately shifting the game’s momentum.
Munoz’s salary for the upcoming season includes an additional $1 million increase tied to the number of games he finishes in 2025. The Mariners also hold club options for Munoz at $8 million in 2027 and $10 million in 2028, with potential salary escalations of up to $2 million based on performance metrics.
The closer signed a four-year contract worth $7.5 million following the 2021 season, when he made a single appearance after returning from Tommy John surgery. Munoz initially debuted with the San Diego Padres in 2019, where he showcased an impressive fastball that averaged 99.9 mph. While his speed remains notable at 98 mph, he has increasingly relied on a slider, which he utilized over 50% of the time in the 2025 season, yielding a mere .109 average against opposing batters.
In spring training of 2020, Munoz suffered an elbow injury, leading to his acquisition by the Mariners that August. The trade involved Ty France and two other players, sending catcher Austin Nola and two relievers to the Padres. As the Mariners look ahead to the coming seasons, Munoz’s re-signing underscores their commitment to maintaining a strong bullpen and competitive edge in the league.
