With the MLB Trade Deadline coming up next week, the Boston Red Sox have several pressing needs. Pitching help is their top one, but they could also use a first baseman after losing Triston Casas to a season-ending knee injury in early May.
Abraham Toro and Romy González have stepped up in his absence, though Toro has cooled off after a hot start. Over his last 33 games, he’s batting .220/.306/.294 with one home run and 10 RBI.
With Toro scuffling, the Red Sox could use a boost at first base. However, one of their top trade targets came off the board Thursday when the Seattle Mariners traded for first baseman/outfielder Josh Naylor from the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for pitchers Brandyn Garcia and Ashton Izzi.
Naylor, 28, was an All-Star with the Cleveland Guardians last year, helping them reach the ALCS after setting career highs with 31 home runs and 108 RBI. He struggled during the playoffs, however, and the Guardians dealt him to the Diamondbacks during the offseason.
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With Naylor headed towards free agency this winter and Arizona falling out of contention in the National League West, the Diamondbacks were willing to move him before the deadline rather than risk losing him for nothing this offseason.
The veteran slugger is enjoying another strong year at the plate, batting .292/.360/.447 with 11 homers, 19 doubles, 59 RBI and 11 steals in 93 games with Arizona.
As for the Diamondbacks, they get a pair of intriguing young arms in return. Garcia is a 25-year-old lefty who just made his Major League debut on Monday and has made two relief appearances so far, while Izzi is a 21-year-old prospect currently in High-A ball.
With a .797 OPS (123 OPS+) over the last four seasons, Naylor is poised to give the Mariners’ lineup a significant boost. Their first basemen have struggled this year, batting .233/.298/.412 — well below Naylor’s numbers. However, it’s worth noting that Arizona’s Chase Field is much more hitter-friendly than Seattle’s T-Mobile Park, so his stats may dip in the second half.
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Regardless, this trade is bad news for Boston. Not only did the Red Sox miss out on a potential upgrade at first base, but they also watched him go to one of their top competitors in the American League. Both teams currently hold a wild card spot and are neck and neck in the standings, setting up a potential photo finish down the stretch.
With Naylor off the table, Boston could pivot to someone like Ryan O’Hearn if it still wants a first baseman. However, Craig Breslow may focus elsewhere as he looks to bolster the pitching staff.
