The initial significant transaction of the 2025 MLB trade timeframe materialized Thursday, involving a transfer that directed Arizona Diamondbacks’ initial baseman, Josh Naylor, to the Seattle Mariners, the D-backs communicated.
Coming back to Arizona as compensation are pitchers Brandyn Garcia and Ashton Izzi. Garcia experienced his MLB premiere merely three days prior as a relief pitcher, and Izzi is presently participating for the High-A Everett Aquasox. Garcia holds the 13th spot on MLB Pipeline’s compilation of premier Mariners prospects, while Izzi occupies the 16th position.
Naylor is approaching free agency, indicating a straightforward temporary acquisition for the Mariners.
The D-backs procured Naylor during the prior offseason in an arrangement that dispatched pitcher Slade Cecconi and a competitive-balance draft selection to the Cleveland Guardians. That action was initiated to substitute outgoing first baseman Christian Walker, currently affiliated with the Houston Astros, on an Arizona roster that retained aspirations for playoff contention.
Naylor largely satisfied his obligation, producing a slash line of .292/.360/.447 with 11 home runs across 93 games with Arizona, but the D-backs did not achieve commensurate success. They presently possess a 50-53 record, positioning them fourth in the NL West and 5.5 games adrift of a wild card berth.
Arizona is initiating the process of selling assets at the trade deadline, and the Mariners demonstrated suitability as a trading partner for Naylor.
What assets does Josh Naylor contribute to the Mariners?
Standing at 54-48 and intensely engaged in the wild-card pursuit, the Mariners approach the deadline with evident spheres necessitating enhancement. First base constituted one such area.
Since designating Rowdy Tellez for assignment, Seattle has employed a platoon strategy involving Luke Raley against right-handed pitchers and Donovan Solano against left-handers. Neither participant has particularly impressed, and the Mariners hold the 18th rank in MLB regarding OPS at that specific position.
Naylor furnishes them with a consistent batter who could potentially occupy a slot towards the top or within the central section of the lineup.
While his power metrics and exit-velocity statistics leave room for enhancement, he remains proficient at making contact with the ball, an attribute the Mariners could utilize. Naylor’s 12.4% strikeout rate would represent the most favorable figure among Mariners’ regular players this season.
That represents one position addressed for the Mariners. The inquiry pertains to the extent of their actions, and whether they will re-engage with the D-backs to address another significant requirement.
What about Eugenio Suarez?
Numerous Mariners enthusiasts have expressed aspirations for a reunion with third baseman Eugenio Suarez, who competed for the squad in 2022 and ’23, aiming to address a noticeable deficiency at the hot corner position.
Suarez ranks among the highly sought-after players during the trade deadline period, securing the uppermost position in Yahoo Sports’ assessments of prospective acquisitions. His tally of 36 home runs positions him fourth within the major leagues, trailing only Cal Raleigh, Aaron Judge, and Shohei Ohtani.
Adam Jude, from the Seattle Times, reports that the Mariners intend to sustain engagement with the D-backs regarding Suarez. Nevertheless, Jon Heyman, affiliated with the New York Post, mentioned that the New York Yankees, Cincinnati Reds, and Chicago Cubs also possess interest in the power hitter, hinting at a potential bidding competition.
Teams possess until 6 p.m. on July 31 to finalize an agreement.
What interpretation should be assigned to this trade?
The proverbial “hot stove” has been ignited. The deadline season has commenced. And our inaugural trade could not be a more suitable introductory action.
The Diamondbacks, who are transferring Naylor to Seattle in exchange for a duo of prospects, are poised to assume a central role in this year’s deadline. And in this instance, they’ve engaged in a transaction with the Mariners, who execute trades with greater frequency than any other entity and are promptly acting to capitalize on a widely competitive American League landscape.
Arizona has endured a disappointing season, with injuries and subpar performance on the pitching side serving as primary contributors. However, the D-backs maintain a collection of desirable players operating under expiring contracts – or temporary acquisitions, in MLB terminology. Naylor nearly certainly represents merely the initial departure, with Zac Gallen, Merrill Kelly, and Eugenio Suárez generating substantial attention.
Naylor, a stoutly built, 28-year-old first baseman, has consistently demonstrated above-average hitting capability for approximately four years. He establishes substantial contact, infrequently strikes out, and commonly propels the ball with sufficient force and trajectory to yield commendable power statistics. With that said, swing analysis suggests a potential modification in approach this year, as Naylor appears to have exchanged a degree of power for enhanced contact through a more deliberate swing, reduced home runs, and an elevated batting average. He will integrate into the upper echelon of Seattle’s batting order alongside JP Crawford, Julio Rodriguez, Cal Raleigh, and Randy Arozarena.
To acquire Naylor, Seattle relinquished two pitching prospects. Izzi, aged 21, currently participates in High-A, where he concurrently exhibits both elevated strikeout and walk rates. Selected from a high school in Illinois in 2022, he represents a gradual development with mid-rotation potential. Garcia functions as a relief pitcher, potentially possessing substantial effectiveness. He recorded strikeouts against 28.4% of hitters within the minor leagues this year, earning a major-league debut this week. It is somewhat notable that the Mariners, who are abundant in highly regarded position-player prospects, opted to trade two arms for Naylor. — Jake Mintz
