The Seattle Mariners made the first splash of the 2025 MLB trade deadline, acquiring slugging first baseman Josh Naylor from the Arizona Diamondbacks in a straightforward rental deal. As trade rumors heat up and contenders scramble for reinforcements, this move signals a proactive Mariners front office eager to bolster their postseason chances and an Arizona team ready to sell.
A Bat Seattle Badly Needed
It wasn’t subtle first base was a problem in Seattle.
The Mariners had been patching things together with a platoon of Luke Raley and Donovan Solano. But with below-average numbers and no long-term solution in sight, they needed someone who could hit every day and not just against favorable matchups.
Enter Naylor. He’s not flashy, but he gets the job done. His .292 batting average and .360 OBP in 93 games this season are the kind of consistency the Mariners have sorely lacked. He’s not a strikeout machine either his 12.4% K rate is the best of any regular on the Seattle roster.
Power? Well, it’s there Sort of. Eleven home runs isn’t eye-popping, but Naylor’s profile fits well in Seattle’s contact-starved lineup.
What Arizona Gets in Return
This trade is also a clear signal from Arizona: they’re shifting gears.
The D-backs, sitting at 50-53 and 5.5 games back in the wild card, are moving assets. Getting Brandyn Garcia and Ashton Izzi in return gives them pitching depth, which they sorely need after a rough year on the mound.
Garcia, 13th on the Mariners’ prospect list, just debuted in the big leagues days ago and could contribute quickly. Izzi, ranked 16th, is more of a developmental piece, pitching in High-A but showing flashes of future rotation potential.
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Brandyn Garcia: 28.4% strikeout rate in minors, relief pitcher, made MLB debut this week
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Ashton Izzi: 21 years old, High-A, high strikeout/high walk numbers, 2022 high school draftee
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Both add depth to a thinned-out Arizona system hit by injuries and inconsistency
It’s worth noting the D-backs originally got Naylor from the Guardians in a trade last offseason. That move, meant to replace Christian Walker, didn’t pan out the way they hoped.
Naylor’s Fit in Seattle’s Lineup
Seattle isn’t done, but this is a good start.
Naylor is expected to slot into the heart of the order, potentially batting alongside JP Crawford, Julio Rodriguez, Cal Raleigh, and Randy Arozarena. He brings a calm, low-strikeout presence to a team that has swung and missed far too often.
This also solves one of Seattle’s most glaring holes. The Mariners rank 18th in MLB in OPS at first base. That’s not going to cut it if they want to outslug teams in October.
This move might also offer protection for other hitters. Naylor’s disciplined approach forces pitchers to stay in the zone, creating better pitches for those around him. It’s the kind of under-the-radar move that can elevate a team quietly.
What About Eugenio Suarez?
That name hasn’t gone away and it might not.
Eugenio Suarez, the powerful third baseman now with Arizona, is one of the hottest names in the rumor mill. He previously played in Seattle during 2022 and 2023 and could still be on the Mariners’ radar.
Adam Jude of the Seattle Times says the Mariners are staying in touch with Arizona about Suarez. But there’s a twist Jon Heyman reports that the Yankees, Reds, and Cubs are all eyeing Suarez too. And with 36 homers this season, there’s little doubt a bidding war is on the table.
The question is whether Seattle, after parting with two pitching prospects for Naylor, is willing to go deeper into their farm to get Suarez too.
Arizona’s Fire Sale Could Be Just Beginning
Naylor may only be the first domino.
With playoff hopes fading, the D-backs appear to be moving toward a full-on sell mode. And they’ve got options pitchers Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly, plus Suarez, are all on expiring deals and drawing attention.
Arizona was expected to contend this year. But between injuries and a struggling rotation, things didn’t quite click. Now, they’re making moves with an eye on 2026 and beyond.
If Seattle isn’t done calling, someone else will be.
