The Arizona Diamondbacks made a significant move on Thursday night by trading first baseman Josh Naylor to the Seattle Mariners in exchange for two minor league pitching prospects, left-hander Brandyn Garcia and right-hander Ashton Izzi. This trade comes as the Diamondbacks hold a 50-53 record, sitting 5.5 games behind in the NL Wild Card race and firmly in a seller’s position as the <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/baseball/mlb/”>MLB July 31 trade deadline approaches. To fill Naylor’s spot on the roster, the organization promptly recalled first baseman Tristin English while optioning Garcia to Triple-A Reno after his brief major league stint with the Mariners.
What Did Arizona Lose in Trading Josh Naylor?
With a struggling season and a clear position as sellers, Arizona decided to part ways with Naylor, who is entering the final year of his contract and will become a free agent after 2025. Naylor is due $10.9 million in salary next season, with the Diamondbacks saving approximately $3.7 million by trading him. Offensively, Naylor is a valuable left-handed bat, currently hitting .292 with a .360 on-base percentage and a .447 slugging percentage, generating an OPS+ of 123, well above league average.
Despite these offensive contributions, Naylor’s defensive limitations reduce his overall value, posting a minus-6 defensive runs saved figure. He also shows a clear split in production, performing better against left-handed pitching than right-handed, with OPS marks of .884 and .665, respectively. Arizona had to weigh whether to tender Naylor a qualifying offer worth about $21 to $22 million for one year, which would yield a compensatory draft pick if he declined and signed elsewhere.
This compensation pick’s value depends on Naylor’s eventual free-agent contract; if he signs for more than $50 million, the Diamondbacks would receive a pick right after the first round. Below that threshold, the pick’s worth diminishes, falling after the second round.
No, there wasn’t. That wasn’t part of our conversation. I believe he is going to be 29 years old as a free agent, he’s going to do very well for himself.
—Mike Hazen, Arizona Diamondbacks General Manager
Pitching Prospects Acquired from Seattle: Brandyn Garcia and Ashton Izzi
The Diamondbacks acquired two pitchers with distinct profiles and potential from the Mariners organization. Brandyn Garcia, a 25-year-old left-hander, was drafted in the 11th round out of Texas A&M in 2023. Although 23 at that time, Garcia showed rapid progress, posting an impressive 2.25 ERA in 116 innings as a starter during 2023. However, Seattle transitioned him into a reliever role in 2024, where he has recorded a 3.51 ERA in 33.1 innings across Double-A and Triple-A levels.
Garcia was recently promoted to the major leagues, appearing in two games before being traded. Upon acquisition, the Diamondbacks optioned him back to Triple-A Reno but indicate he will remain in the bullpen rather than return to starting.
[Garcia has] a big arm that’s going to fit into our pen between now and in the future,
—Mike Hazen, Arizona Diamondbacks General Manager
Garcia’s control remains a work in progress, striking out batters effectively but issuing 17 walks in 33.1 minor league innings this year, alongside three walks in two major league innings. Hazen remains cautious on an immediate promotion, emphasizing the need for Garcia to command his pitches better.
I do know the stuff is really good. And if we can harness it into attacking the strike zone and hitters, I think we’ll be in a decent spot.
—Mike Hazen, Arizona Diamondbacks General Manager
Recent reports suggest Garcia will join the major league bullpen imminently, as the Diamondbacks prepare a roster move likely involving relief pitchers Woodford, Curtiss, or Richards.
The Diamondbacks expect to have newly acquired left-handed reliever Brandyn Garcia with the big-league club tomorrow – there will be a corresponding move likely one of the relivers among Woodford, Curtiss or Richards.
—John Gambadoro, Insider
In contrast, Ashton Izzi is a younger right-handed pitching prospect who has yet to pitch above High-A level. His stats at this level reveal challenges, posting a 5.51 ERA and 4.91 FIP over 47 innings in 12 starts. While Izzi boasts a strong strikeout rate of 10.3 per nine innings, his walk and home run rates are high, raising concerns on his consistency and command.
Izzi’s most recent outing was his best performance, delivering six scoreless innings on July 22, possibly drawing the attention of Diamondbacks scouts. He mixes five pitches including a fastball and sinker averaging 94 mph, complemented by a slider, sweeper, and changeup, with notable extension out to seven feet enhancing the perceived velocity of his fastball.
At just 21 years old, Izzi ranked 16th overall in the Mariners system via MLB Pipeline. Following the trade, MLB Pipeline placed Izzi at number 11 in the Diamondbacks’ updated top 30 prospects list, slightly above Garcia at number 16.
Long-term starter potential. We see all the ingredients, the ability to mix pitches. He’s young. He’s obviously already in high-A. He’s a little bit further away. But we were looking to capture as much value as we could.
—Mike Hazen, Arizona Diamondbacks General Manager
Evaluating the Trade: Is the Return Worth the Loss of Naylor?
Arizona’s General Manager Mike Hazen acknowledged the importance of the potential compensation pick in weighing the trade, suggesting their return exceeded the value of a draft pick. This year’s compensation pick for the Diamondbacks, Patrick Forbes, selected 29th overall, ranks 13th in Baseball America’s prospect rankings, putting Garcia and Izzi in a similar tier of potential impact if scoring from that perspective.
By comparison, the previous compensation pick, outfielder Slade Caldwell, is ranked among the top prospects nationally by multiple outlets, including being number one in local prospect rankings. This indicates the variability and subjectivity inherent in prospect evaluations.
While the trade may not be a resounding success, the return of two young pitching talents, combined with payroll savings of nearly $4 million and options at first base with Tristin English and Pavin Smith, provides Arizona with flexibility and developmental opportunities. Hazen graded the trade as a B, reflecting reasonable confidence in the prospects’ value but acknowledging the uncertainty common with pitching prospects.
The true test lies ahead in how quickly Garcia can control his pitches and contribute in relief, and how soon Izzi can progress through the minors toward the major leagues. With all pitching prospects, the risk of attrition remains high, underscoring the trade’s tentative nature.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Why did Josh Naylor rock the baby?
A. I never intend to direct it at anyone specific. It’s mainly to motivate and energize the team. Naylor mentioned there was nothing personal about it. Cleveland appreciated the gesture.