MLB Trade Deadline: Mariners Land Power Hitter Josh Naylor from Diamondbacks

The MLB trade deadline has kicked off with a bang, and the Seattle Mariners are making moves to bolster their postseason hopes. On Thursday, the team announced the acquisition of first baseman Josh Naylor from the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for minor league pitchers Brandyn Garcia and Ashton Izzi.

Naylor, at just 28, has been a standout this season, boasting a .292 batting average with 11 home runs and 59 RBI in 93 games for Arizona. His bat is a welcome addition to a Mariners lineup that already features heavy hitters like AL MVP candidate Cal Raleigh, Julio Rodriguez, and Randy Arozarena. Seattle’s GM Justin Hollander didn’t hide his excitement, noting that Naylor’s knack for hitting both for average and power is a rare gem—and a relief, since they won’t have to face him anymore.

The Mariners, sitting at 55-48 and holding the second wild card spot in the American League, are clearly gearing up for a serious run. Meanwhile, the Diamondbacks, with a lackluster 50-53 record, seem to be pivoting toward rebuilding as the July 31 deadline looms. Rumors are swirling that players like Eugenio Suarez, Zac Gallen, and Merrill Kelly could also be on the move.

As for the prospects headed to Arizona, Garcia, 25, recently debuted in the majors for Seattle and impressed with a 2.16 ERA in Triple-A. Izzi, a 21-year-old fourth-round pick, is still a work in progress with a 5.51 ERA at High-A. Time will tell if this trade pays off for both sides, but for now, the Mariners are swinging for the fences.