The Seattle Mariners have acquired first baseman Josh Naylor from the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for left-handed pitcher Brandyn Garcia and right-handed pitcher Ashton Izzi. The deal marks the first significant trade ahead of the July 31 deadline and signals Arizona’s position as a seller.
For the Mariners, the move addresses a need for a well-rounded, contact-oriented hitter. Naylor is hitting .292/.360/.447 with 11 home runs this season and possesses the 13th-lowest strikeout rate among qualified hitters, a valuable addition to a lineup that struggles with strikeouts. He provides a substantial upgrade at first base, particularly against right-handed pitchers, against whom he is hitting .310/.390/.493.
The acquisition also improves Seattle’s roster depth. Incumbent first baseman Luke Raley, who has struggled against left-handed pitching, can now shift to a utility role in right field or at designated hitter. While Naylor solidifies one part of the infield, third base remains an offensive weakness for Seattle. The Mariners did not trade any of their top 10 prospects in this deal, suggesting they have the assets to pursue a further upgrade at third.
This trade indicates the Diamondbacks are prepared to move key players, with Eugenio Suarez, Merrill Kelly, and Zac Gallen also potentially available. In return for Naylor, Arizona acquired two pitching prospects who, while not among Seattle’s top-ranked minor leaguers, offer notable potential.
Garcia, drafted in 2023, has succeeded since moving to the bullpen this season, posting a 3.51 ERA with 42 strikeouts across 33⅔ innings in Double-A and Triple-A. Featuring a mid-90s sinker, a sweeper, and a cutter, he has the potential to join Arizona’s major league bullpen immediately and could be developed as a starter in the future.
Izzi, a 21-year-old right-hander drafted out of high school in 2022, is a longer-term developmental prospect. He has a mid-90s fastball but has posted a 5.51 ERA in 12 starts at High-A. His fastball/sweeper combination could profile well in a relief role down the line. By moving Naylor early, Arizona secured a solid return and can now focus on negotiating deals for its other available players.
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