The Seattle Mariners made a significant financial commitment to ensure that Gold Glove catcher Cal Raleigh stays in the Northwest through the end of the decade.
Raleigh signed a six-year, $105 million contract extension on Tuesday, keeping him with the Mariners through at least the 2030 season. Negotiated by Excel Sports Management, the deal covers his three years of arbitration eligibility and three years of free agency.
With this deal, the Mariners made Raleigh just the fifth catcher in MLB history to sign a contract worth at least $100 million, joining Joe Mauer, Buster Posey, Will Smith, and J.T. Realmuto.
Raleigh became just the fifth catcher in MLB history to secure a nine-figure contract, joining Joe Mauer, Buster Posey, Will Smith, and J.T. Realmuto.
Raleigh’s contract carries an average annual value (AAV) of $17.5 million, making it one of the highest among catchers. Only Philadelphia’s J.T. Realmuto ($23 million) and Kansas City’s Salvador Perez ($20.5 million) have higher AAVs on their current deals, and both are set to hit free agency this winter. Realmuto is represented by Creative Artists Agency.
According to the Seattle Times, Raleigh was undergoing a physical exam when the extension was finalized. The Mariners are gearing up for their regular-season opener at home against the Athletics on Thursday.
Raleigh is the newest Mariners cornerstone to commit long-term, joining center fielder Julio Rodríguez, right-hander Luis Castillo, and closer Andrés Muñoz. Seattle aims to take the next step in the AL West, where Houston and Texas have been dominant in recent years.
