Just In: Mariners perfect fit lands first baseman from Diamondbacks

The Seattle Mariners are aiming to make impactful additions ahead of the MLB trade deadline. Currently sitting in second place in the American League West with a 36-35 record, they’re just half a game out of a Wild Card spot. As teams begin to determine whether to buy or sell, Seattle appears to be leaning toward the buyer side.

Meanwhile, the Arizona Diamondbacks have underperformed despite a talented roster that includes Ketel Marte and Corbin Carroll. They share the same 36-35 record as Seattle but are 7.0 games behind in the NL West and 3.0 games out of a Wild Card position, making the path to the playoffs more difficult.

With Corbin Burnes sidelined for the season and key relievers like Justin Martinez and A.J. Puk on the long-term injured list, Arizona’s pitching depth is a concern. The team also has several players nearing free agency, including first baseman Josh Naylor—who has surfaced in multiple trade rumors, one of which links him to the Mariners.

 

 

There’s no doubt Seattle could benefit from adding a player like Naylor to boost their postseason push.

Mariners first baseman this season

Overall, the Mariners have struggled offensively. While Cal Raleigh has done his part to keep things afloat, the rest of the lineup hasn’t stepped up. As a team, Seattle is slashing .242/.322/.395 — not terrible, but far from ideal.

 

 

First base has been a major weak spot. Mariners first basemen are hitting just .204/.262/.388, with the eighth-highest strikeout rate (24.6%) and the sixth-lowest fWAR (-0.6) in the league. According to FanGraphs, they rank near the bottom in many key statistical categories.

If Seattle wants to stay competitive in the AL West or secure a Wild Card spot, upgrading at first base is a pressing need.

Mariners trade proposal for Josh Naylor 

Disclaimer: This is a purely hypothetical trade scenario — a rough estimate of what it might take for the Mariners to acquire Josh Naylor.

Mariners Receive:

• 1B Josh Naylor

Diamondbacks Receive:

• RHP Logan Evans (Seattle’s No. 10 prospect)

• 1B Tyler Locklear (No. 11 prospect)

• RHP Teddy McGraw (No. 17 prospect)

Josh Naylor is in the final year of his contract and is set to become a free agent after the season. So far this year, he’s been a consistent offensive force, posting a .300/.355/.471 slash line with a 130 OPS+, 9 home runs, 48 RBI, 36 runs, and 79 hits across 69 games. He’s one of the better pure hitters available, and acquiring him would require a substantial return.

Seattle would be giving up three MLB-ready or near-MLB-ready prospects:

Logan Evans has already made his major league debut. In eight starts this season, he’s posted a 3.38 ERA over 40 innings. While not a strikeout-heavy pitcher, he throws strikes and challenges hitters. With Corbin Burnes out for the season and the possibility of Zac Gallen or Merrill Kelly being traded, Evans could immediately step into Arizona’s rotation.

Tyler Locklear also reached the majors, though he struggled in his brief stint (7-for-45 over 16 games in 2024). He’s rebounded in Triple-A, where he’s hitting .282/.370/.416 with five homers and 37 RBI through 65 games for Tacoma. While he needs to generate more loft, he’d give Arizona a quality first base prospect.

Teddy McGraw, a third-round pick in 2023, has yet to debut in the majors but is making progress in the minors. Currently in High-A, he threw three hitless innings in his debut there and could be on the verge of a promotion to Double-A. With the Diamondbacks’ pitching staff battling injuries, adding a high-upside arm like McGraw would help fortify their future rotation.