The Mariners add needed offense at 1B
Seattle upgraded a position desperately in need of help in a big way.
The Mariners have kickstarted the summer trade season in a big way.
Seattle has acquired first baseman Josh Naylor from the Diamondbacks in exchange for lefty reliever Brandyn Garcia and right-handed starting pitcher Ashton Izzi. Garcia made his big-league debut with the Mariners on July 21 and was optioned to Class-AAA Tacoma earlier today. Izzi was assigned to High-A Everett.
From an offensive perspective, Naylor represents a massive upgrade at first base. He reaches base more often, strikes out less, and has demonstrated better overall power than what the team had received from Rowdy Tellez, Donovan Solano, Luke Raley, and Dylan Moore this season.
Entering today, Naylor was tied for the 12th highest batting average in baseball, while just 12 qualified hitters have a lower strikeout rate than the 28-year-old.
The newest Mariner is also adept at reaching second base. Over the previous three seasons, Naylor averaged 28 doubles with Cleveland. To date, the Canadian has 19 two-baggers. Just four fewer than Seattle’s leader Randy Arozarena.
Naylor’s 24.5 feet-per-second sprint speed is well below the MLB average (27 feet-per-second). Yet, the 5-foot-10, 235-pounder has stolen 11 bases this season. The only Mariners with more steals than Naylor are Julio Rodríguez (19) and Arozarena (16). Cal Raleigh also has swiped 11 bags.
Defensively, advanced metrics suggest Naylor is a below average glove at first base. Among first basemen, he ranks 17th in Fielding Run Value and 21st in Defensive Runs Saved. That said, his arm strength is the best among first basemen.
It’s important to note that the left-handed hitting Naylor has been significantly more productive against right-handed pitching than southpaws. The 12th overall pick of 2015 has a .844 OPS against righties compared to a .655 OPS versus lefties.
Still, despite lagging numbers against left-handers, Naylor represents a substantial improvement for Seattle in this area. His overall production is head and shoulders above what Tellez, Solano, Moore, and Raley have accomplished.
Having said that, there is one factor worth watching as the rest of the season unfolds - Naylor’s home and away splits. In his first season as a Diamondback, the 2024 All-Star has reigned supreme at hitter-friendly Chase Field.
Naylor’s 2025 Home & Away Splits
Home: .324 AVG, .377 OBP, .478 SLG
Away: .257 AVG, .340 OBP, .413 SLG
Statcast ranks Arizona’s home field as the fourth-best venue for offense in MLB. Conversely, we all know T-Mobile Park is baseball’s most extreme pitching venue. How this reality might affect Naylor’s productivity in the Emerald City is a developing story we’ll get to watch over the final two months of the season.
For me, adding Naylor is a win for the Mariners. His presence immediately lengthens the foundation of a lineup that already includes J.P. Crawford, Rodríguez, Raleigh, Arozarena, Jorge Polanco, and Raley.
The arrival of Naylor should also permit Raley to spend more time in the outfield where the 30-year-old appears more comfortable from a defensive perspective. This assumes the team doesn’t move Raley in a subsequent deal over the next week.
Obviously, the Mariners have more work to do before next Thursday’s MLB trade deadline comes and goes. But today’s dramatic first salvo signals management is intent on positioning the team for a deep postseason run in 2025.
Based on what it accomplished today, I can’t wait to see what the front office does next.
My Oh My…
Which player gets cut Friday?