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Is now the time to try and extend Mariners' star catcher Cal Raleigh?
Cal Raleigh is one of the best catchers in Mariner's history. Should Seattle make him a Mariner for life?
Cal Raleigh can already call himself a Mariners Legend. He represents more than just the stats on the field, or his antics in the dugout and clubhouse, Cal is a Mariner. He was drafted in the 3rd round of the 2018 MLB Draft out of Florida State University by the Mariners, and rose through the Minors and debuted with the Mariners in 2021. Raleigh is a home grown star in the making, something that has not been the case for the Mariners since Kyle Seager debuted in 2011.
Yes, Julio Rodriguez, Logan Gilbert, and George Kirby are all home-grown guys. But Cal Raleigh came before them, and the Mariners would not be the same without him. J.P. Crawford may be the team captain, but think of Cal Raleigh as the Vice President of the clubhouse. From managing the best pitching staff in baseball, to hitting walk off home runs, Cal's legacy in Seattle is cemented already, and he is still on his first contract. While he is not the perfect player, he is perfect for the Mariners. The time to sign him to a long term deal is now.
Cal Raleigh: On the field
Cal's stats on the field speak for themselves. Is he a batting average guy? No. Does he strikeout too much? Yes. But remember what position he plays: Catcher. How many catchers in baseball are as good offensively and defensively? Not too many. Cal's career slash line is sitting at .214/.288/.434 with an OPS+ of 105. He has also hit 74 home runs, and has driven in 202 runs over his career. Since the 2021 season, Cal is 3rd among catcher in home runs. He only trails Salvador Perez (KC) and Will Smith (LAD) over that span.
WALKOFF SLAM CAL RALEIGH pic.twitter.com/5QzAik4Xa9
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) June 11, 2024
Cal has made his money in the 7th inning or later in 2024. His slash line jumps to .218/.333/.462/.795 with 5 home runs and 20 RBIs. In high leverage situations, Cal is slashing .286/.383/.653/.1.036 with 5 home runs and 26 RBIs. Cal has always had a knack for the big moments. Remember 2022, when he hit the walk-off home run to send the Mariners to their first playoff appearance in 21 years? How about the walk-off grand slam late last month? Or the walk-off hit against the Twins last week? He may not be a batting average guy, but he is the player I want to hit in a big spot.
Defensively, Cal has been outstanding. He leads all of baseball in "Catcher caught stealing" with 23 runners thrown out. 23! He catches the best pitching staff in baseball and plays almost every day. He plays hurt, he plays sick, he even wanted to play a game after he has emergency dental work done that same morning. They just do not make guys like Cal Raleigh anymore, and the Mariners found themselves a stud.
Cal Raleigh: Off the field
Cal's reach extends beyond the field here in Seattle. After the disappointing end to the 2023 season, Cal took ownership of the team coming up just short.
“It was tough. It was a tough pill to swallow because all the guys in that clubhouse, they put their heart and soul into it. They sacrifice so much every day … and to come up one game short, two games short, it really hurts. It hurts everybody, the fans included. It stinks. And it’s something that we have to remember this offseason and we have to try to make those adjustments. As players and leaders in this clubhouse, we have to get better. We understand that we need to take the next step.”
He has also made comments about the front office at the end of the 2023 season as well: “I think we’ve done a great job of growing some players here and within the farm system, but sometimes you got to go out and you have to buy and that’s just the name of the game,” Raleigh said. “We’ll see what happens this offseason, hopefully we can add some players and become a better team.” He isn't wrong here. Cal is a leader in the clubhouse, especially after Dipoto and Hollander traded away other leaders in the offseason.
Earlier this year, the Mariners celebrated the 25th anniversary of "Buhner buzz cut night" by bringing the promotion back. If you come and shave your head before the game, you got a free ticket to the game. One current Mariner volunteered to get his head shaved by The Bone himself. Who was it? Cal Raleigh. When Mariners manager Scott Servais was asked about it, he summed it up in just three words. "He's a Mariner".
Will the Mariners sign Cal Raleigh to an extension?
It is going to be tough. We all know that Cal is a Scott Boras client, and Boras does not like to sign extensions. Typically, Boras clients make their way to free agency to get the most money possible, which is great. These guys should go get their bag. You never know what game will be your last, so make all the money you can while you can.
SLEEPLESS IN SEATTLE.
— MLB (@MLB) October 1, 2022
THE MARINERS END THEIR POSTSEASON DROUGHT WITH A WALK-OFF HOME RUN. pic.twitter.com/qcDM5JG1xx
The only positive thing in the Mariners favor when it comes to a Raleigh extension is how Scott Boras handled this last offseason with the "Boras 5". Cody Bellinger, Blake Snell, Jordan Montgomery, J.D. Martinez, and Matt Chapman were all expected to make sign big deals. Some of these guys did not even sign until Spring Training or well after Spring Training had begun, and none of them signed what they were projected to sign for. While projections are just that, projections, Scott Boras came out of the 2023 offseason with egg on his face. Could that happen with Cal Raleigh? Who knows.
What would an extension look like for Cal Raleigh?
Should Cal make it to free agency, and give the same level of production he has given throughout his career, he very well could be the highest paid catcher in baseball. Right now, the highest paid catcher is the Philidelphia Phillies catchet J.T. Realmuto at $23.1M. Then Salvador Perez of the Kansas City Royals at $20.5M, and it trickles down from there.
As of writing this, the Mariners only have roughly $104M committed to the 2025 payroll. Signing Cal to a $20-25M per year deal would not break the bank for ownership. The only player making more than $20M a season is Luis Castillo at $24.15M, then it is Julio Rodriguez at $19.912M. Should Cal be in the ballpark of 20-25M on a 5-6 year deal, the Mariners have to make that happen. Maybe he would get more in free agency, but maybe he doesn't. Cal is a perfect fit for the Mariners, warts and all. In another market, maybe he is not as valuable. Either way, the Mariners need to make sure Cal is a Mariner for life.
As always, Go Mariners!