Cal Raleigh, Julio Rodríguez and the 10 biggest contracts in Mariners history

Throughout their history, the Seattle Mariners have handed out some massive contracts in an effort to secure talent and push for postseason success. Some of them turned out to be franchise-defining wins, while others remain cautionary tales.

Here’s a look at the Mariners' 10 largest contracts and how they panned out.

The 10 Largest Contracts in Mariners History

1. Robinson Canó - 10 years, $240 million
2. Julio Rodríguez - 12 years, $209.3 million
3. Felix Hernández - 7 years, $175 million
4. Robbie Ray - 5 years, $115 million
5. Luis Castillo - 5 years, $108 million
6. Cal Raleigh - 6 years, $105 million
7. Kyle Seager - 7 years, $100 million
8. Ichiro Suzuki - 5 years, $90 million
9. Felix Hernández (again) - 5 years, $78 million
10. Jean Segura - 5 years, $70 million

Biggest Wins

Ichiro Suzuki

Few players in baseball history have made an impact as immediately and as profoundly as Ichiro Suzuki. Signed to a five-year, $90 million extension in 2007, Ichiro wasn’t just a star for the Mariners — he was a global icon who helped redefine baseball in Seattle.

Ichiro arrived in 2001 as the first Japanese-born position player in MLB history, immediately proving that he was built for the big leagues. He won AL MVP and Rookie of the Year in the same season, leading the Mariners to a record-breaking 116-win campaign. He was a 10-time All-Star, a 10-time Gold Glove winner, and a two-time batting champion. He also set the MLB record for most hits in a single season (262 in 2004) — a record that still stands today.

Beyond the stats, Ichiro was the face of the franchise during his tenure, constantly filling the seats of T-Mobile park, and was a massive international draw. Even as the Mariners struggled through years of mediocrity, he remained a must-watch player. His number 51 was retired by the franchise, and in 2025, he was officially enshrined in Cooperstown as a first-ballot Hall of Famer.

Felix Hernández: Twice the Investment, Twice the Reward

King Felix appears twice on this list, and for good reason — both of his big-money deals paid off for the franchise. The Mariners made a smart decision in securing their homegrown ace, and while Hernandez never saw playoff action, his dominance was rang loud.

His finest moment? A perfect game in 2012, the only one in Mariners history. Felix also claimed a Cy Young Award in 2010 — despite having a near .500 record that year (13-12) — a testament to just how elite he was on the mound for a team that often gave him little run support.

With six All-Star appearances and a reputation for leading one of the most intimidating pitching rotations in baseball, Hernandez became the heart and soul of the Mariners. The iconic "King’s Court" in left field of T-Mobile Park was a symbol of fan devotion, even following the team on the road.

Kyle Seager

Kyle Seager was never the flashiest third baseman in baseball, but he was undoubtedly one of the most consistent. His seven-year, $100 million extension ensured he stayed in Seattle for his entire career, a rarity in modern baseball.

Seager hit at least 20 home runs in every full season from 2012 to 2021, with the exception of the shortened 2020 campaign. His final season saw him launch a career-high 35 homers.

The biggest tragedy for Seager was that he existed during the prime years of other third baseman like Nolan Arenado, Todd Frazier, and Adrián Beltré. He never garnered the national attention of those players, yet Seager ranked near the top of the league in WAR among third basemen consistently throughout his career. His defense and power-hitting ability were invaluable to the Mariners, and he retired as one of the franchise’s all-time greats.

Robinson Canó

While Canó’s 10-year deal is often viewed as a long-term financial burden, there’s no denying that he performed at an elite level during his Seattle tenure. He was an All-Star in three of his five years with the team and finished in the top 10 in MVP voting twice.

Though he didn’t maintain the same power numbers he had in New York, he still posted an impressive 39-home-run season in 2016. His contract ended up being a win in the sense that Seattle managed to trade him before his decline became irreversible.

Cal Raleigh

While Raleigh’s six-year, $105 million deal is still fresh, it already looks like a smart investment. One of the best all-around catchers in baseball, Raleigh provides elite defense and game-calling skills while supplying crucial power at the plate. The "Big Dumper" has become a fan favorite and a leader in the clubhouse.

Perhaps the biggest perk of Raleigh’s deal is what it could mean for Seattle’s young pitchers. The Mariners’ pitching staff has credited Raleigh for their development, and his long-term presence could help the team secure extensions for its core group of arms leading to several more seasons of continuity.

Biggest Losses

Robbie Ray

After winning the 2021 AL Cy Young, Robbie Ray inked a five-year, $115 million deal with Seattle. However, the warning signs were already there — Ray had struggled with inconsistency throughout his career, with an ERA over 4.30 in multiple seasons leading up to his breakout campaign.

While Ray managed a solid 2022 season (3.71 ERA, 189 IP, 212 K), disaster struck in 2023 when he suffered a season-ending injury 3.1 innings into his first start of the season. The Mariners ultimately managed to offload his contract to the Giants, but the return (Mitch Haniger) unfortunately didn't result in much to celebrate.

Robinson Canó: The Fallout

While Canó’s production was solid, the contract itself was flawed from the start. Committing 10 years to a 31-year-old player was always a gamble.

in 2018, Cano received an 80-game suspension for violating the league's joint drug agreement leaving a lasting sour impression on the Mariners fanbase. The organization had to package standout closer Edwin Diaz, just to move him in a trade with the Mets.

Even today, Canó’s contract is used as an excuse for Seattle’s reluctance to spend. Despite being off the books for years, the front office continues to cite it when justifying their bargain-bin approach to free agency.

The Rest: Jury’s Still Out

Julio Rodríguez: The Franchise’s Future

Rodríguez's12-year deal has a chance to be the best in team history — if he continues on his current trajectory. If the incentives in his contract max out to $470 million he’ll easily surpass Canó’s deal, but that would mean multiple MVP-caliber seasons. As that would attribute to the Mariners' team success, we would gladly take it.

Luis Castillo: Ace-Level Investment

Castillo has been the leader of Seattle’s dominant rotation, and the returns suggest his deal was worth it. His presence and mentorship of Seattle's young pitchers add value beyond just his own stats.

Jean Segura: A Short but Impactful Tenure

Though Segura’s time in Seattle was brief, he provided steady production with All-Star recognition in one of his two seasons with the club. However the biggest contribution was eventually being flipped for J.P. Crawford, who has become the face of the franchise’s infield. In hindsight, it is one of the better trades Seattle has made.

The Mariners' history with big contracts is ultimately a mixed bag. While they’ve locked up franchise legends like Ichiro, Felix, and Julio, they’ve also had their share of questionable decisions. If Seattle wants to take the next step toward true contention, finding the right balance between spending and sustainability will be crucial.

Right now, they're leaning heavily into sustainability and that's truly something to be excited about. But a decent sized splash in free agent should be enough to put this team over the top.