The Seattle Mariners made it clear they were serious about making a run at the playoffs when they traded for Josh Naylor before the MLB trade deadline in July.

And when Naylor hit the ground running in a Mariners uniform, the M’s made it clear they were serious about making a run at keeping him in that uniform even as his free agency approached.

And now just two weeks after the last out of the World Series, the Mariners have made it clear again that they’re serious about something.

The Mariners reportedly are finalizing a five-year contract with the veteran first baseman in the first notable move of the MLB offseason, as was first reported Sunday night by ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan.

Mike Salk of Seattle Sports’ Brock and Salk explained what the reported re-signing accomplishes for the M’s.

“It shows just how special last year really was,” Salk said in a reaction video. “He was an important part of it, and we wondered whether or not he was going to head to free agency and test the market after all of the years he spent betting on himself. He didn’t. He doesn’t wait for free agency to truly open. Instead, he signs with the Mariners right away.”

There were questions about whether the M’s, who have long had trouble convincing hitters to call pitcher-friendly T-Mobile Park their long-term home, could convince Naylor to return. But now that he reportedly is coming back on a substantial contract, Salk pointed out that it serves as a positive message from the team.

“He must have enjoyed what happened here over the course of the last few months,” Salk said, “and it also shows both the players in that clubhouse and the fans that the team is serious. They’re serious about what they did last year and about taking it to the next level.”

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