Mariners Exercise $7M Option on Closer Andres Munoz

The Seattle Mariners have officially triggered their $7 million club option to keep All-Star closer Andrés Muñoz in uniform for the 2026 MLB season.

This move locks down the back end of the Mariners’ bullpen, making sure one of baseball’s most dominant relief pitchers stays at the heart of Seattle’s title chase. Muñoz’s wild mix of velocity and control has made him nearly untouchable over the past two years. He’s put up elite numbers and become a fan favorite and a clubhouse leader in the process.

Mariners Commit to Their Shutdown Closer

Muñoz’s journey here is a story of grit and raw potential finally coming together. He started out as a hyped prospect in the Padres system, then landed in Seattle via a 2020 trade.

Back in 2021, the Mariners took a pretty big swing by signing him to a four-year, $7.5 million deal with some team-friendly option years—even though he was fresh off Tommy John surgery.

That gamble paid off. Muñoz has turned into one of MLB’s top late-inning arms, bringing steadiness when the pressure’s highest.

Elite Production Over Two Seasons

The numbers over his last two seasons? They’re ridiculous. His two-year totals include:

• 60 saves with a sharp 1.92 ERA
• Opponents batting just .160 against him
• Only two home runs allowed in 62⅓ innings during the 2025 regular season

In the 2025 postseason, Muñoz looked unstoppable. He threw 8⅓ scoreless innings as Seattle clawed its way to Game 7 of the American League Championship Series.

His ability to shut down hitters in October just adds to his reputation as a playoff weapon.

The Game 7 Decision That Raised Eyebrows

If there’s one knock—if you can even call it that—on Muñoz’s postseason, it’s not really on him. In the do-or-die ALCS Game 7, the Mariners manager didn’t bring in Muñoz during a critical spot.

Instead, Eduard Bazardo faced Toronto’s George Springer, who launched a three-run homer that ended Seattle’s season.

Could Muñoz Have Changed the Outcome?

Honestly, who knows? Plenty of Seattle fans were left wondering why Muñoz wasn’t out there.

With his history in big moments, he’s the guy you want with everything on the line.

Future Financials and Performance Incentives

Seattle’s 2026 commitment to Muñoz also includes a potential $1 million bonus if he finishes enough games. That’s a solid motivator for their closer to keep logging heavy innings.

After next season, the Mariners have more club options: $8 million for 2027 and $10 million for 2028, both with a chance to bump up by $2 million depending on his performance.

The Muñoz Arsenal: Heat and Deception

What really sets Muñoz apart? It’s that wild combo of raw velocity and nasty off-speed stuff. His 98 mph fastball just overpowers hitters.

That slider of his? It held batters to a silly .109 average in 2025. Not many pitchers can mix that kind of heat with such precise execution.

Impact on Seattle’s Pitching Strategy

Muñoz’s dominance gives the Mariners manager tons of options with the bullpen. Whether he’s closing games or coming in for high-leverage eighth-inning spots, Muñoz changes how opponents have to plan.

Looking Ahead to 2026

By exercising the option now, Seattle dodges any off-season drama. They can just focus on building a roster around Muñoz’s reliability.

Teams all over the league scramble for bullpen help every year. The Mariners have theirs locked in—feels like some pretty clever long-term planning, honestly.

With Muñoz holding down the bullpen, Seattle’s path toward another playoff run looks a lot clearer. If you’ve seen him lately, you know they’ve got a closer who can change entire series.

For fans in the Pacific Northwest, 2026 can’t come fast enough.

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Here is the source article for this story: Report: M’s pick up $7M option on closer Munoz