Seattle Mariners Exercise Andrés Muñoz’s $7M Club Option for 2026 Closer Role

Andrés Muñoz will return as Seattle Mariners' closer in 2026 with a $7 million club option exercised

The Seattle Mariners have officially exercised their club option for closer Andrés Muñoz for the 2026 season, securing the two-time All-Star’s services for $7 million. This move confirms the team’s confidence in Muñoz, who has established himself as one of MLB’s elite closers in recent years. Meanwhile, several key Mariners players, including Jorge Polanco who declined his mutual option for 2026, are entering free agency starting Thursday afternoon, marking a pivotal offseason period for Seattle’s roster.

• Seattle Mariners exercised Andrés Muñoz’s $7 million club option for 2026, including a $1 million escalator bonus for games finished in 2025.
• Jorge Polanco declined his $6 million mutual option, joining other players such as Josh Naylor, Eugenio Suárez, Caleb Ferguson, Luke Jackson, and Mitch Garver in free agency.
• Mitch Garver’s $12 million mutual option was declined; he will receive a $1 million buyout and become a free agent.
• Muñoz posted career highs in games finished (47) and saves (38) during the 2025 season, compiling a 1.73 ERA and earning his second All-Star selection.
• The Mariners’ payroll is projected around $130-135 million for 2026, with $30-35 million available for offseason acquisitions, prioritizing re-signing key players like Josh Naylor.

Muñoz’s contract and performance cement Mariners’ decision

Andrés Muñoz signed a four-year, $7.5 million contract after the 2021 season, which included three club options for 2026 ($6 million base), 2027 ($8 million), and 2028 ($10 million), each with potential $1 million escalators based on games finished. His option for 2026 included a performance escalator, which was triggered after he recorded 47 games finished in 2025, earning him a total of $7 million for the season.

The Mariners’ decision to exercise the option was widely anticipated given Muñoz’s standout performance. In 64 appearances in 2025, Muñoz achieved career-best marks with a 1.73 ERA (219 ERA+), 38 saves, 83 strikeouts, and an excellent strikeout-to-walk ratio (83:28). He was deployed almost exclusively in the ninth inning or later, transitioning into a more defined closer role after previous seasons spent alternating between setup and closer duties.

On-field contributions and postseason impact

Muñoz’s dominance was a cornerstone for Seattle’s bullpen, complementing the team’s deep postseason run to Game 7 of the American League Championship Series (ALCS). Over seven playoff appearances, he pitched 8⅓ scoreless innings, securing two saves without allowing a run. Despite this success, he was notably not brought in during a critical seventh-inning moment of Game 7 when Toronto ultimately won on a series-ending home run.

His pitching arsenal includes a fastball averaging near 98 mph and a slider used over 50% of the time in 2025, which frequently baffled batters to the tune of a .109 batting average against. This repertoire, combined with improved mental focus and confidence, has propelled Muñoz into the ranks of baseball’s most effective closers.

Mariners’ offseason outlook and financial flexibility

With Muñoz under contract for 2026, the Mariners' committed payroll sits near $130-135 million. According to Baseball Operations President Jerry Dipoto, the team is seeking to maintain payroll levels similar to their $165 million spend at the end of 2025. This leaves an estimated $30-35 million available for the upcoming offseason, a figure that will be influenced by final roster adjustments and the November 21 non-tender deadline.

Seattle faces significant roster decisions as several key players enter free agency, including fan favorites Josh Naylor and Eugenio Suárez. Dipoto has emphasized that re-signing Naylor is a top priority. The departure of catcher Mitch Garver, who received a $1 million buyout after the team declined his mutual option, will also require strategic roster planning.

Summary of Seattle Mariners’ 2026 offseason situation

• Andrés Muñoz’s exercised club option secures a premier closer for the next three seasons, with escalating salaries through 2028.
• The Mariners will enter free agency with a number of important players available, necessitating targeted acquisitions.
• Payroll flexibility affords the team significant spending power in free agency as they aim to build on their deep 2025 playoff performance.
• Manager Dan Wilson’s bullpen management strategy, which provided Muñoz a clearly defined ninth-inning role, contributed to the closer’s successful campaign.
• Muñoz’s resilience from previous injuries and his evolving mental approach signal continued potential for growth.

Andrés Muñoz’s career trajectory and Mariners’ investment

Muñoz’s trajectory since signing with the Mariners after Tommy John surgery in 2021 reflects a successful investment by the franchise. Originally acquired in a trade from the San Diego Padres, where he debuted in 2019, Muñoz was a relatively unproven arm with immense potential. Seattle bet on his upside, and the decision to lock him in with a multi-year deal featuring club options was a calculated risk that has paid dividends.

At just 26 years old, Muñoz’s development into a dominant closer demonstrates the Mariners’ effective scouting and player development. Muñoz himself has highlighted his growth, particularly his changed mental approach, noting the importance of focusing on the present and not dwelling on setbacks. Such maturity will be crucial as he shoulders the pressure-packed closer role moving forward.

Free agency and roster implications for Seattle

With Jorge Polanco declining his $6 million mutual option, along with Garver, Ferguson, Jackson, Naylor, and Suárez reaching free agency, the Mariners face critical decisions to maintain and enhance their competitive roster. The front office must balance re-signing core contributors while managing payroll to remain a serious contender in the American League.

Dipoto has pointed toward Josh Naylor as a clear priority, signaling the team’s intent to keep key offensive pieces. The available free agent bats and potential trades could reshape Seattle’s roster in the months ahead. Maintaining bullpen strength through Muñoz’s presence will be vital as the Mariners seek to return to postseason success.

Conclusion

The Seattle Mariners’ exercise of Andrés Muñoz’s 2026 club option reflects both a reward for his outstanding 2025 season and a strategic commitment to building a championship-caliber bullpen. As the offseason unfolds, Seattle’s balanced approach to payroll and free agency decisions will determine the team’s trajectory. With Muñoz locked in as a premier closer under contract through 2028, the Mariners have secured a key building block for future success.