The Seattle Mariners have no regrets about their bold approach at the 2025 trade deadline. Bringing in hitters like Josh Naylor and Eugenio Suárez was a clear sign they were all-in for October, and the front office isn’t second-guessing the decision. However, looking around the league at what they gave up, one name is already drawing attention.
Former No. 9 prospect Tyler Locklear, packaged with right-handers Hunter Cranton (No. 16) and Juan Burgos (No. 17) in the trade for Suárez, has quickly settled in with the Arizona organization and is already making an impression.
Former Mariners prospect already thriving after deadline trade to D-Backs
Before the trade, Tyler Locklear was on fire in Triple-A Tacoma, and he’s kept that momentum going in Arizona. On Monday, he hit his first home run as a Diamondback—a towering blast that made a statement about his power and potential.
It’s hard not to root for him. The 24-year-old has been working his way through the minors since Seattle drafted him in the second round in 2022. Despite a few short MLB call-ups, he never got a steady role with the Mariners. Even when he was raking in the Pacific Coast League in June and July, the team opted for veterans like Donovan Solano. That spoke volumes. Now in Arizona, he already seems settled.
“Everybody here’s been great, welcoming me with open arms,” Locklear told MLB.com’s Michael Wagaman. “This locker room is really good, we got a good group of guys.” He added, “Thankfully I was able to come into a locker room like this, be welcomed with open arms, so it was really cool.”
The ballpark shift could also work in his favor. T-Mobile Park can be unforgiving for right-handed power, while Chase Field plays more neutral—especially in the summer heat. Anyone doubting Locklear’s pop should remember how many of his balls in Seattle likely died on the warning track. He’s always had power; now he has a better stage to show it.
Meanwhile, Eugenio Suárez has been slow to start in his return to Seattle, going just 2-for-17 with five strikeouts and no walks over his first five games. It’s early, and the Mariners didn’t trade for him based on one week of stats, but the contrast is notable.
Seattle addressed big needs by adding Josh Naylor and Suárez, which should raise their lineup’s floor. Still, that doesn’t mean Locklear won’t flourish in Arizona. The Mariners made their call. The Diamondbacks might have already found their prize.
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