Mariners make no-brainer call on relief pitcher Andres Munoz

After falling to the Toronto Blue Jays in the American League Championship Series, the Seattle Mariners face an offseason of retooling as they continue their pursuit of the first World Series appearance in franchise history. Four players — first baseman Josh Naylor, third baseman Eugenio Suarez, catcher Mitch Garver and left-hander Caleb Ferguson — are unrestricted free agents. One decision, however, was straightforward: closer Andres Munoz had to return. And that’s exactly what will happen, according to baseball reporter Francys Romero, who reported Tuesday that the Mariners will bring him back on a $6 million club option. Muñoz finished with the third-most saves (38) in the majors last season and has posted a sub-3.00 ERA in each of the past four seasons (2022–25). His 2025 campaign was his best yet, logging a 1.73 ERA over 62.1 innings in 64 appearances. Munoz also ranked in the 98th percentile in whiff rate (36.5%) and the 96th percentile in strikeout rate (32.7%). Built around pitching, the Mariners posRead More