On Thursday night, the Seattle Mariners added All-Star first baseman Josh Naylor to their roster by acquiring him from the Arizona Diamondbacks. This trade, occurring just days before the July 31 deadline, marks the third time Naylor has been traded in six years and reflects Seattle’s urgent effort to enhance their struggling offense through the Josh Naylor Mariners trade. The Mariners exchanged two pitching prospects to secure Naylor’s services.
Naylor has delivered an impressive season in 2025, boasting a .292 batting average, 11 home runs, 59 RBIs, and a .807 OPS over 93 games. With a total of 102 hits in 349 at-bats, including 19 doubles and one triple, the left-handed batter projects to finish the year with over 15 home runs and more than 90 RBIs, making him a valuable addition to Seattle’s lineup.
Originally debuting with the San Diego Padres in 2019, Naylor spent one and a half seasons there before a trade sent him to the Cleveland Guardians. During his four-and-a-half seasons in Cleveland, he earned his first and only All-Star selection in 2024. After that breakout year, the Guardians traded Naylor to Arizona in exchange for a starting pitcher and a competitive balance draft pick for 2025. Now, just months later, Naylor is set to begin a new chapter with the Mariners.
Mariners Continue Pursuing Arizona Stars Ahead of Trade Deadline
Although the Josh Naylor Mariners trade provides a significant boost, Seattle has not finished its roster moves. The trade deadline on July 31 is only days away, and the Mariners are aggressively seeking additional talent from the Diamondbacks, the leading sellers this season. Seattle’s determination to capitalize on Arizona’s fire sale remains clear.
Major League Baseball insider Bob Nightengale recently highlighted ongoing trade discussions, revealing that the Mariners and New York Yankees are the most aggressive contenders for Diamondbacks third baseman Eugenio Suarez. Nightengale noted on social media:
The Seattle Mariners and New York Yankees are the most aggressive teams pursuing Arizona Diamondbacks All-Star third baseman Eugenio Suarez, with a handful of others still in pursuit.
—Bob Nightengale, Senior MLB Insider
Despite securing Naylor, Seattle has not backed away from its pursuit of Suarez, who is having a remarkable 2025 season. Suarez has already hit 36 home runs, driven in 86 RBIs, and recorded an impressive .918 OPS. He is on pace to surpass his personal best by hitting over 55 home runs and surpassing 125 RBIs this season, potentially delivering a career-defining offensive output.
What These Moves Mean for Seattle’s Season Outlook
The Mariners’ acquisition of Josh Naylor, combined with their ongoing pursuit of Eugenio Suarez, illustrates Seattle’s aggressive strategy to transform its offense in the final stretch of the season. These moves come as the team seeks to overcome offensive struggles and improve its standing before the trade deadline closes.
If the Mariners successfully add Suarez alongside Naylor, their lineup will gain much-needed power and run production, possibly altering the trajectory of their season. With the deadline just days away, fans and analysts alike will watch closely to see if Seattle can finalize another high-profile deal and strengthen its bid for postseason contention.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Why did Josh Naylor rock the baby?
A. I don’t intentionally aim my actions at anyone. It’s mostly to motivate and energize the guys. Naylor explained that it wasn’t personal. People in Cleveland really enjoyed it.