SEATTLE, WA – In a move that signals the unofficial start of the MLB Trade Deadline, the Seattle Mariners have acquired veteran first baseman Josh Naylor from the Arizona Diamondbacks. The trade, announced Thursday night, sees the Diamondbacks receive two of Seattle’s highly-regarded prospects: left-handed pitcher Brandyn Garcia and right-handed pitcher Ashton Izzi.
Mariners President of Baseball Operations Jerry Dipoto, known for his proactive approach to the trade market, made the first significant splash of the season. Naylor, 28, is expected to immediately bolster Seattle’s lineup as a middle-order left-handed bat, a presence the team has been seeking to fortify its offense, which has shown improved production over the last six weeks, according to MLB.com.
For the 2025 season, Naylor has been impressive, batting .292 with an .807 OPS, 11 home runs, and 59 RBIs in 93 games for the Diamondbacks. He is currently playing on a one-year, $10.9 million contract and is set to become a free agent at the end of the 2025 season, as confirmed by Baseball-Reference.com. This acquisition marks a long-standing interest from the Mariners, who had reportedly targeted Naylor during the offseason before his trade from Cleveland to Arizona.
Naylor’s career statistics reflect a consistent offensive threat. Over seven seasons, he holds a .267 batting average, a .773 OPS, 95 home runs, and 402 RBIs. He was an American League All-Star in 2024 while with the Cleveland Guardians, where he posted career highs with 31 home runs and 108 RBIs in 152 games, according to ESPN and Wikipedia. His versatility as a first baseman and occasional outfielder adds valuable depth to the Mariners’ roster.
In return, the Arizona Diamondbacks receive two promising arms. Brandyn Garcia, a left-handed pitcher, was Seattle’s 11th-round pick in the deep 2023 draft class and recently made his MLB debut. Ashton Izzi, a right-handed pitcher, was a fourth-round selection in 2022 and is currently pitching at High-A Everett. These prospects represent a future-oriented return for the Diamondbacks, who, according to reports cited by Baseball-Reference.com, have been informing rival clubs of their intent to trade some veteran players as they assess their direction ahead of the deadline.
Naylor’s journey through MLB has seen him play for the San Diego Padres (2019-2020), Cleveland Indians/Guardians (2020-2024), and most recently, the Arizona Diamondbacks (2025), before joining the Mariners. Drafted 12th overall by the Miami Marlins in the 2015 MLB Draft, Naylor has consistently been recognized for his power-hitting profile and advanced approach at the plate.
This trade sets an early tone for the 2025 MLB Trade Deadline, with the Mariners making a clear statement about their intentions to contend by acquiring a proven offensive performer. For the Diamondbacks, it signals a potential retooling phase, as they acquire young talent to build for the future.
