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Mariners GM releases Josh Naylor statement after Diamondbacks trade
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- Mariners GM releases Josh Naylor statement after Diamondbacks trade
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The post Mariners GM releases Josh Naylor statement after Diamondbacks trade appeared first on ClutchPoints .
The Seattle Mariners made the first major splash of the 2025 MLB trade deadline, acquiring first baseman Josh Naylor from the Arizona Diamondbacks in a move aimed at addressing their offensive inconsistency. Seattle is firmly in the playoff hunt but still chasing its first-ever World Series appearance—having not reached the ALCS since 2001. Though the team snapped its postseason drought in 2022 with a Wild Card series win over the Toronto Blue Jays , the franchise remains hungry for a deeper run. Naylor's addition signals a clear push to break through.
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Naylor, a 28-year-old left-handed hitter and former All-Star in 2024, holds a .292 batting average, 11 home runs, and 59 RBIs across 93 games this season. Known for his low strikeout rate and tenacious energy, he gives the Mariners a boost at a position that has underperformed throughout the season.
The club sits at 54-48, tied for the second American League Wild Card spot and six games back of division-leading Houston Astros . With the club ranking near the bottom of MLB in runs and OPS, the need for a bat like Naylor's had become urgent. He's expected to split time between first base and designated hitter, likely rotating with Donovan Solano and Luke Raley .
MLB's Daniel Kramer took to X, formerly known as Twitter, and posted a quote from Seattle general manager Justin Hollander following the trade announcement.
"We are thrilled to add Josh as we make a push for the postseason. Josh's ability to hit for both average and power is unique and we are excited to not face him anymore."
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In exchange, Arizona received a pair of pitching prospects in left-hander Brandyn Garcia and right-hander Ashton Izzi.
Garcia recently debuted in the majors and was ranked as Seattle's No. 13 prospect, while Izzi, a High-A arm with upside, was No. 16. The D-Backs are repositioning as sellers after falling out of contention, with Naylor's expiring contract making him a top rental target.
The Mariners playoff push is clearly in motion . While parting with mid-level pitching depth, Seattle held on to prized prospects like Colt Emerson and Jonny Farmelo , preserving long-term flexibility. With their sights set on both a Wild Card spot and narrowing the gap in the division, this move could mark just the start of their trade deadline activity.
For now, Seattle lands a key piece as the MLB trade deadline ramps up. Whether more moves follow remains to be seen, but the early message is clear—the Mariners are going for it.
Related: Mariners rumors: How Seattle feels about Eugenio Suarez after fall of first trade domino
