The Arizona Diamondbacks are one of the more interesting teams to look at ahead of the trade deadline. They came into the season as contenders, but have fallen off and look to be sellers ahead of the deadline.
With that in mind, the Diamondbacks have a few players who make sense as trade chips.
Jim Bowden of The Athletic recently put together a poll of MLB executives that revealed that many around baseball expect the Diamondbacks to cut ties with slugger Josh Naylor ahead of the trade deadline.
“The Diamondbacks say they will be buyers at the trade deadline with acquiring pitching the priority,” Bowden wrote. “However, opposing teams believe they’ll be sellers, or at least open to trading their impending free-agent bats for more pitching; one of those hitters, Naylor, was mentioned more than any other position player by execs in our poll.
“Naylor, 28, is slashing .304/.359/.471 with 10 home runs and 53 RBIs. Last season he mashed 31 home runs with 108 RBIs for Cleveland. Several teams, including the Mariners, Rangers, Giants, Reds and Red Sox, need a power bat like Naylor.”
The Boston Red Sox are the first team that jumps off the page as a suitor. If Boston can stay afloat in the American League, adding Naylor at the deadline would boost its offense in a big way.
The Seattle Mariners need to take advantage of a generational season from Cal Raleigh. Adding Naylor would be a bit of a risk, but it’s the kind of move Seattle should look to make in the coming weeks.
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